American Stroke Association Honors Seven Stroke Heroes Redefining Life After Stroke

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has announced the seven recipients of the 2026 Stroke Hero Awards, honoring survivors, caregivers, and advocates who are reshaping what life after a stroke can look like. Recognized during American Stroke Month, the awards celebrate individuals whose actions help people affected by stroke navigate recovery through connection, education, and shared experience.

Stroke remains a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States, and for many survivors and families, the real work begins after hospitalization. This year's honorees demonstrate how personal experience can become a source of strength for others, whether through caring for a loved one, reducing isolation, or helping fellow survivors find a path forward.

The winners include Felicia Veasey of Summerville, South Carolina, named Caregiver Hero for rearranging her life to become her mother's full-time caregiver after a second stroke and creating a public webinar on caregiver mental health. Lamont Causey of Detroit, the Community Impact Hero, regained his ability to speak, swallow, and walk after a 2019 stroke and now shares his story to support survivors in under-resourced communities.

Nasheel Joules of McKinney, Texas, received the B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero award for recognizing her husband's stroke symptoms and calling 911 immediately, leading to prompt care for a transient ischemic attack. The Aphasia Recovery Connection in Leland, North Carolina, was honored as a Group Hero for providing free aphasia support and education to over 20,000 members worldwide, combating the isolation often felt after stroke.

Marina Ganetsky, now 15, of Needham, Massachusetts, is the Pediatric Hero after surviving multiple strokes from a ruptured arteriovenous malformation at age 10. She now speaks at conferences and has written a book for children with brain injuries. Gabriela Raso of Missouri City, Texas, a physician who advocated for her own stroke diagnosis on Christmas 2013, co-founded The Stroke Foundation to expand access to therapies and resources, earning the Survivor Hero award.

Stacie Barber of Peoria, Arizona, was selected as the Voters' Choice Hero for her unwavering caregiving after her husband Logan's severe bleeding stroke in September 2024. A physical therapist, she guided his recovery and shared their journey with over 1 million social media followers, inspiring others with posts about resilience.

Winners were chosen by a national panel of volunteer judges, except for the Voters' Choice Award, which was determined by online popular vote. The awards highlight that stroke can happen at any age and that recovery varies for each person. For more information, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards.

These heroes exemplify how advocacy, connection, and determination can redefine life after stroke, offering hope and practical support to survivors and caregivers across the nation.