May 1st, 2008 – Ontario – Every ten minutes a Canadian will have a stroke.  There are over 300,000 stroke survivors in Canada, and every year another 50,000 join their ranks.

Stroke Recovery CanadaTM, a program of March of Dimes Canada, helps stroke survivors across the country to more easily re-engage in their communities, and affirm that there is meaningful and quality life after a stroke.  With May designated as Stroke Recovery Awareness Month, Stroke Recovery Canada has increased its efforts to educate the public about stroke recovery. 

Dawn Armstrong is one of the many Canadians who exemplify thriving after surviving a stroke in April 2007, just before her 46th birthday.  Initially unable to move, and with slurred and word-finding speech difficulty after her stroke, Dawn spent a total of five months in the hospital and in out-patient rehab.  She has since recovered her speech and can walk with the aid of a cane.

Prior to her stroke, Dawn worked as a corporate trainer, living a busy life of work and raising her daughter.  After her discharge from rehab she looked for a support group for stroke survivors under 50 and connected with March of Dimes Canada to form a Younger Stroke Survivors Group in her York Region, Ontario community.

“The purpose of the group is to provide support to stroke survivors and their caregivers,” says Dawn.  “But also important is our goal to educate everyone that strokes do happen to younger people and to make society more aware – I used to live like I was invincible and I am living proof that strokes can happen to anyone,” she continues.

Approximately 1/3 of all Canadian stroke survivors are under the age of 65.

“Dawn is just one of the thousands of Canadians who have survived a stroke and can share their personal experiences with stroke recovery,” says Sheila Casemore the Manager of Group Development and Support for March of Dimes Canada.

“We celebrate Stroke Recovery Awareness Month in May to remind Canadian stroke survivors and healthcare professionals that proper resources including community engagement and peer support are paramount for a successful and ongoing stroke recovery – and Dawn’s work creating a Young Stroke Survivors group will go a long way helping in the journey through stroke recovery,” she continues.

The Young Stroke Survivors Group held their first meeting on April 22nd, with plans for monthly meetings.  Anyone interested in joining can contact Dawn at mdawnarmstrong@yahoo.ca or call 416-425-3463 ext. 7207.

Stroke Recovery Canada™, a program of March of Dimes Canada, is a national service offering post-recovery support, education and programs for stroke survivors, their families and health care providers. Through its work with local peer support groups, Stroke Recovery Canada™ provides Canadians with the resources needed to help Canadians survive and thrive after stroke.

For information or to join Stroke Recovery Canada call 1-888-540-6666 or visit the Stroke Recovery Canada website at www.strokerecoverycanada.com.

March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.

For more information please contact:
Ruth Kapelus      
Public Relations Coordinator
March of Dimes Canada
10 Overlea Blvd.                                                            
Toronto, ON M4H 1A4                                                   
Phone: 416-425-3463 ext. 7254
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463 ext. 7254
Fax: 416-425-1920
rkapelus@marchofdimes.ca
www.marchofdimes.ca