WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a resolution to recognize May as Stroke Awareness Month on June 2. The resolution encourages continued coordination and cooperation between the federal government, researchers, families, and the public to improve prognoses by increasing access to timely treatments for individuals who suffer strokes.
“I never thought having a stroke would happen to me – until it did. Now more than ever, I understand the importance of increasing awareness of strokes. Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save a life,” Luján said.
He also called for the Senate to support more research to prevent strokes.
“I’m proud to lead my Senate colleagues in recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month," Luján said. "Now, Congress must work together to support research and increase access to treatments to save lives.”
Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, thanked Luján for his support.
“The American Heart Association is grateful to Sen. Ben Ray Luján for turning his own experience into action by championing equal access to rehabilitation for all people who have suffered a stroke," Brown said. "We are pleased to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to help reduce the nationwide burden of heart disease and stroke."
In the United States, nearly 795,000 people have a stroke each year, with someone suffering from a stroke every 40 seconds. Today, strokes are now the fifth leading cause of death, costing nearly $53 billion between 2017 and 2018, including the cost of healthcare services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.
