The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has announced the recipients of its 2026 Stroke Hero Awards, recognizing seven honorees nationwide who are redefining what life after stroke can look like. The awards, presented each May during American Stroke Month, honor survivors, caregivers, health care professionals and community organizations whose actions support people affected by stroke through connection, education and shared experience.
Stroke remains a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, and recovery often involves navigating lasting physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. This year's Stroke Heroes demonstrate how personal experience can become a source of strength for others, whether through caring for a loved one, reducing isolation or helping fellow survivors find a path forward.
The winners include Felicia Veasey of Summerville, South Carolina, honored as Caregiver Hero. After her mother's second stroke, Veasey became her full-time caregiver and later organized a public webinar, Empowered Minds and Hearts, to support the mental health of other caregivers. Lamont Causey of Detroit, the Community Impact Hero, regained his ability to speak, swallow and walk after a severe stroke in 2019 and now shares his story to educate and encourage survivors in under-resourced communities.
Nasheel Joules of McKinney, Texas, received the B.E. F.A.S.T. Hero award for recognizing her husband's stroke symptoms and calling 911 immediately, leading to prompt treatment for a transient ischemic attack. She and her husband now raise funds for the Association through their annual Christmas light display and work with local officials to improve emergency response. The Aphasia Recovery Connection in Leland, North Carolina, was named Group Hero for providing free aphasia support and education to over 20,000 members and subscribers, helping those with speech difficulties find community.
Marina Ganetsky of Needham, Massachusetts, at age 10 suffered a ruptured AVM causing multiple strokes; now 15, she has made tremendous progress and helps others by speaking at conferences and writing a book for children with brain injuries. Gabriela Raso of Missouri City, Texas, a physician who insisted on a CT scan that confirmed her stroke, co-founded The Stroke Foundation to advocate for expanded access to therapies and resources. Stacie Barber of Peoria, Arizona, the Voters' Choice Hero, used her expertise as a physical therapist to guide her husband's recovery from a large bleeding stroke and shares their journey with over 1 million social media followers.
For more information about the awards and stroke recovery resources, visit Stroke.org/HeroAwards. The American Stroke Association emphasizes that stroke can happen at any age and recovery looks different for every person, but these heroes show the power of connection, advocacy and shared experience in navigating life after stroke.
