The Stroke Association scoops top award

The Stroke Association has been awarded Medical Charity of the Year (2004-2005) at an award ceremony held by the Medical Journalists' Association (MJA). The Stroke Association was shortlisted by nominations put forward by over 300 medical journalists and received their award at a ceremony held at the Royal College of General Practitioners. Other charities shortlisted in this category were BLISS, Hearing Concern, Arthritis Research Campaign and Meningitis Trust.

This was a tremendous achievement for The Stroke Association and it was the first time they have ever been shortlisted. The award, voted for by journalists, highlights the excellent relationship that has developed between The Stroke Association's media team and the media.

Accepting the award, Gregg Vines, Deputy Director of Communications at The Stroke Association said: "It is an honour and a privilege to have received this award on behalf of the media team. Over 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year and it is the leading cause of severe disability, yet stroke does not get the attention or recognition it deserves. This award shows how The Stroke Association is really starting to have an impact in the media on highlighting stroke and the different issues surrounding it."

Other categories that were awarded at the ceremony were Health Journalist of the Year, Medical Publication of the Year, Freelance Journalist of the Year and Medical Journalist of the Year.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 150,000 people in the UK 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 combatting 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.

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