Strokes can strike anyone, at any age, at any time!

I’m a New Jersey stroke survivor. I suffered a serious stroke at the age of 48, and I’m one of the close to 4.6 million stroke survivors alive today in this country. Did you know that stroke is New Jersey’s number three killer and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability?

I urge you to publish this letter to the editor to help share potentially life-altering and life-saving information with other New Jersey stroke survivors, stroke caregivers and family members. On Saturday, Nov. 16, the American Stroke Association, division of the American Heart Association and its New Jersey Operation Stroke task force had their second annual New Jersey Life After Stroke conference for NJ stroke survivors, caregivers and family members. I attended the first-ever conference last year along with 170 other survivors and caregivers from throughout New Jersey, from Bergen County to Cape May County.

As a stroke survivor and an American Stroke Association volunteer, I urge people throughout New Jersey to know that a stroke can strike anyone, at any age, at any time. Please know that Stroke is an urgent medical emergency. Know the warning signs and dont delay. Call 9-1-1 immediately if one or more warning signs occur. Call the American Heart Association for more information at 732-821-2610.

Frank Roche, Stroke survivor and volunteer,
American Stroke Association
Division of the American Heart Association