The Stroke Association's journey continues in 2005 Annual Review

The Stroke Association launches their 2005 Annual Review today, entitled 'The Stroke Journey'. As well as detailing key achievements of The Stroke Association during the period 2004-2005 and outlining plans for next year, the 2005 Annual Review also documents the experiences of stroke survivor Andrea Elson.

Andrea had her stroke in 1998 aged 28, only six days after the birth of her first child. The review follows her stroke journey as an illustration of The Stroke Association's work to combat stroke in people of all ages and support stroke survivors throughout their rehabilitation. Andrea herself now volunteers for the Association by helping people with communication problems and supporting younger stroke survivors.

The last 12 months have marked some considerable achievements for the organisation; winning Medical Charity of the Year Award 2005, being nominated for a Third Sector Award for the 'Eat a Rainbow - Beat a Stroke' campaign and becoming the Official Charity of the Flora London Marathon 2006. In addition to the launch of The Stroke Association's new website at the end of 2004 this provides a key platform on which to raise vital funds and awareness to fight against the UK's third biggest killer.

Stroke patients and their families are directly helped through the Association's community services. In 2004/5 89 Dysphasia Support Organisers, working across England and Wales, helped people experiencing communication problems after their stroke. Ninety Family Support Services have also offered information, advice and support to families and carers. During the past year £185,000 was spent on welfare grants, offering financial assistance to stroke survivors, and a Young Stroke Buddy Scheme provided support to the 25,000 people under retirement age facing the challenges of life after stroke.

Nearly £10 million was raised from fundraising activities to improve standards of care, support medical research and increase stroke knowledge. In January 2005 The Association won the BAE Systems Charity Challenge partnership and aims to raise £1 million through voluntary staff activites that directly benefit local communities. Big Lottery funding in Wales has also seen the organisation work in partnership with Relate to improve stroke rehabilitation services throughout the region. Over the last year these 'Positive Action for Stroke' groups have helped many people to rebuild their lives and learn new skills.

In 2004/5 The Stroke Association committed over £2 million to funding research into stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care. This includes research that has led to the Face, Arm, Speech Test (FAST) being used as an accurate guide to identifying early warning signs of stroke. The Stroke Association is launching a 'Stroke is A Medical Emergency' campaign in October 2005 to raise awareness of this potentially life-saving test.

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association said:

"We have taken some tremendous strides forward during the last twelve months, reflected by our continued development and achievements in many areas. I would like to thank all those who have been involved in the work of The Stroke Association who have enabled us to do this.
As the UK's third biggest killer and leading cause of severe disability, awareness of stroke continues to rise up the public agenda. Through our campaigns, community services, fundraising, and research, The Stroke Association will work to ensure that people at every stage of the stroke journey have access to the best possible information, treatment and care."

For any additional copies of the Annual Review please contact our 24 hour answer phone service on 01604 623919 whereby the requested numbers of copies will be posted out to you. Or you can download a copy - The Stroke Association Annual Review 2005

For media enquiries, please contact a member of the Media Team on 020 7566 1500 or e-mail press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

4. The Stroke Association was awarded Medical Charity of the Year by the Association of Medical Journalists in May 2005

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