World Stroke Day
Did you know?
Monday, Oct. 29, is World Stroke Day. For seven years, on the popular TV show “Hercules,” Kevin Sorbo embodied the legendary half-god, half-man character from Greek mythology. But in real life, he suffered three strokes at age 38.
As part of World Stroke Day, Sorbo is joining the American Stroke Association to urge people globally to reduce the threat of stroke in their lives and the lives of loved ones. Sorbo chronicles his stroke journey in True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life.
The day’s theme — “Because I Care” — celebrates survivors and caregivers and their actions and hope to overcome stroke.
Stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the world behind heart disease, killing one in six people. In the United States, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every three to four minutes. But stroke is preventable, treatable and beatable. There is help and hope. The American Stroke Association empowers you and your loved ones to prevent stroke through knowledge, action and hope. Our valuable tools and resources help stroke survivors and their families make the most of their lives.
Here’s how you can act now on World Stroke Day: Show us why you care about stroke through our World Stroke Day, “Because I Care About Stroke...” photo campaign. We need at least 40 stroke survivors, caregivers, family members and friends to share inspiring Instagram photos to help us increase stroke awareness. Post a photo with a sign that completes the thought, “Because I Care About Stroke.”
The photos can be submitted through Oct. 29 and can include individuals, couples or groups. Make sure to tag your photo with #WorldStrokeDay to be included in our Instagram widget. Below are examples to get you started:
Because I Care About Stroke…
- I am sharing the facts about stroke with my (insert relationship).
- I am teaching my (insert relationship) how to prevent stroke.
- I will dispel the myths surrounding stroke, e.g., “stroke only happens later in life.”
- I will volunteer for the American Stroke Association.
- I am teaching my (insert relationship) the stroke warning signs
- I will be with my (insert relationship) every step of the way towards (his/her) recovery.
Stroke can happen to anyone, and 80 percent are preventable. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and physical inactivity. Find out other ways you can increase stroke awareness by using American Heart Association/American Stroke Association tools and resources:
Consumer Resources
| Learn your stroke risk Learn the warning signs of stroke and TIA Track and control your No. 1 modifiable stroke risk factor: high blood pressure |
More about Kevin Sorbo
Mr. Sorbo is an American actor best known for his roles on Hercules and Andromeda. He is a stroke survivor, American Stroke Association spokesperson and author of True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life. He credits his wife and caregiver, Sam, as his reason for a successful stroke recovery. Learn more at Kevin's website and via the American Heart Association’s YouTube Channel.