Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S., and for many survivors and families, the hard work begins once the hospital stay ends. Nationwide, survivors, caregivers and advocates are creating new paths forward. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is honoring seven Stroke Heroes whose actions are helping redefine what life after stroke can look like, including Summerville resident Felicia Veasey.
Recognized each May during American Stroke Month, the Stroke Hero Awards honor survivors of stroke, caregivers, health care professionals and community organizations whose actions support people affected by stroke nationwide. The awards spotlight real‑world efforts that help survivors and caregivers navigate recovery through connection, education and shared experience.
Life after a stroke often means navigating lasting physical, emotional and cognitive challenges[1]. This year’s Stroke Heroes show how personal experience can become a source of strength for others — whether caring for a loved one, reducing isolation or helping fellow survivors and caregivers find a path forward.
Winners include:
- Caregiver Hero: Felicia Veasey, Summerville, South Carolina Felicia Veasey divides her life into two eras: before her mother’s second stroke and after it, when she rearranged her life around her mother’s needs and became her full-time caregiver. Despite the intense demands of the caregiving role, Felicia’s care has spurred significant improvements in her mother’s health. Felicia, wanting to help others in the same situation, coordinated and facilitated Empowered Minds and Hearts, a public webinar that explored the mental health and well-being of caregivers.
- Community Impact Hero: Lamont Causey, Detroit Lamont Causey’s stroke left the Detroit resident unable to speak, swallow or walk in 2019. But with his commitment and resilience, Lamont regained his function and mobility. He didn’t want to stop with his own recovery; he now shares his story throughout his community to educate, encourage and support survivors of stroke and their caregivers. Lamont has a particular passion for helping struggling people in under-resourced communities.
- B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero: Nasheel Joules, McKinney, Texas When Nasheel Joules noticed her husband, Mark, suddenly struggling to speak, mispronouncing words and unable to repeat sentences, she knew something was wrong. She called 911 immediately. Doctors confirmed Mark had experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and because Nasheel recognized the signs and acted quickly, he received prompt evaluation to help protect his long-term health. Nasheel and Mark continue to turn that experience into action, raising funds for the Association through their annual Christmas light display in McKinney and working with local officials to support rapid emergency response for medical emergencies like stroke.
- Group Heroes: The Aphasia Recovery Connection, Leland, North Carolina People living with aphasia — difficulty speaking, reading and/or writing after brain injury, frequently from a stroke — often feel lonely and isolated. That is why The Aphasia Recovery Connection exists: to connect people with aphasia to a supportive community, and to provide free aphasia support and education that is available to anyone, regardless of money or geography. The nonprofit serves over 20,000 members and community subscribers, who benefit from the support and compassion as they navigate recovering from strokes and changes in their speech.
- Pediatric Hero: Marina Ganetsky, Needham, Massachusetts At the age of 10, Marina Ganetsky suffered a ruptured AVM (arteriovenous malformation), a tangled web of veins and arteries so devastating that it caused multiple strokes in her young brain. Marina was unable to walk, talk, swallow, read or write. With a lot of determination, discipline and hard work, Marina, now 15, has made tremendous progress. She helps others by speaking about her strokes at national conferences. She has written a book for children who face strokes and other brain injuries.
- Survivor Hero: Gabriela Raso, Missouri City, Texas Christmas 2013 brought a life-changing challenge for Gabriela Raso, who experienced an ischemic stroke that wasn’t caught at first. The ER doctors wanted to send her home. But Gabriela, a physician herself, knew something was very wrong and insisted on a CT scan that confirmed the stroke. The diagnosis saved her life. Now Gabriela speaks up for other stroke patients. She co-founded The Stroke Foundation, which advocates for expanded access to the therapies, resources and support that enabled her recovery.
- Voters’ Choice Hero: Stacie Barber, Peoria, Arizona Stacie Barber, a physical therapist and business owner, refused to accept doctors’ dire outlook after her husband, Logan, had a large bleeding stroke in September 2024. He spent a month in intensive care on a ventilator. Guided by her resolve and professional knowledge, Stacie’s caregiving fueled her husband’s strong recovery, including his return to full-time work. She has tracked each step of Logan’s journey and shares it with her more than 1 million social media followers, who have learned from and been inspired by Stacie’s posts.
Winners were selected by a nationwide panel of volunteer judges from the American Stroke Association, except for the Voters’ Choice Award, which was selected by online popular vote.
Stroke can happen at any age, and recovery looks different for every person. The Stroke Hero Awards recognize the many ways individuals and communities are supporting survivors and caregivers through connection, advocacy and shared experiences.
For more information, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards. For more information on local American Heart Association events and news, visit Heart.org/SouthCarolina.