Power Sunday

As a leader of your faith-based organization, you have the voice to educate your congregation about stroke, a disease that is significantly higher in African Americans than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Stroke can leave a devastating effect on an individual and their family. A single stroke can cause paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, memory problems, depression and can even be fatal.

Take a look around your congregation this Sunday, some of your members may be silently suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol—all major risk factors of stroke. But with the proper education and action, we can end stroke.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has created the Power To End Stroke campaign to raise awareness about stroke in our community. Power To End Stroke empowers African Americans to reduce their risk for stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes.
I encourage you and your faith-based family to participate in Power Sunday. Join others across Central Texas on Sunday, May 16, 2010 and wear purple to help raise awareness of stroke in African Americans. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association needs your help in fighting stroke. Register your congregation to participate in Power Sunday and receive free materials to help you encourage individuals to…

• Register for the Power To End Stroke movement and Take the Pledge.
• Take a Personal Stroke Risk Assessment to learn about preventing stroke and reducing your risk.
• Eat healthy and get moving.

REGISTER FOR POWER SUNDAY TODAY!

May is American Stroke Month

Celebrate your health and the power you have to make healthy lifestyle choices. Then, share the power with family and friends. Encourage your loved ones to take the Power To End Stroke pledge. Everyone can assess their risk for stroke by completing a Personal Stroke Risk Assessment.

2009 Power Award Honorees Named

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has announced the 2009 Power Award Honorees. Among them are three of the South Central Affiliate's Power To End Stroke Ambassadors--Ralph Homes of Dallas, Randall Wright, M.D. of Houston and Laurence Payne of Houston. Each honoree will be recognized at the Power Awards Gala for his leadership role in providing stroke prevention awareness throughout the community.

Ralph Holmes has been an invaluable Power To End Stroke Ambassador in the South Central Affiliate. As President of the Southwest Region of Aetna, he welcomed the Power To End Stroke movement into his company. He encouraged staff in the Dallas and Houston Aetna offices to take an active role in the Power to End Stroke campaign. In addition, Ralph co-hosted a Power To End Stroke Leadership Breakfast to help recruit other high level executives to get involved with the campaign. On top of all of that, Ralph provided significant financial support through Aetna for the Power To End Stroke campaign. Aetna sponsored Power of Legacy in Houston and Power to End Stroke Gospel Fest in Dallas.

Randall Wright, M.D. has been an incredible supporter of the Power To End Stroke campaign since its inception. As a neurologist with the Sadler Clinic, he has a professional commitment to stroke research and treatment; but his personal commitment to educating and preventing stroke in the African American community is profound. His personal commitment has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships with businesses and organizations, recruiting others to serve as Power To End Stroke Ambassadors and identifying financial supporters of the campaign. Dr. Wright has been a longtime volunteer of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. From 2006-2008, he served as chairperson of the African American Outreach Task Force. He now serves as President of the American Heart Association Board of Directors in Montgomery County. Dr. Wright is a former Physician Volunteer of the Year Award recipient for the Texas Affiliate and a Hero Award recipient for Power of Legacy.

Laurence "Larry" Payne suffered a stroke in 2006. Since his stroke, he has tirelessly committed himself to raising awareness about stroke throughout the African American community and beyond. He serves as a keynote speaker for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. As an active leader in the Houston community, Larry incorporates the Power To End Stroke message into every activity he is a part of, whether it be social, corporate, community service or education oriented. Larry currently sits on the American Stroke Association's Advisory Committee.

Power Sunday - May 3, 2009

One Sunday a year, recognize that you have the power to fight stroke.

We're calling on all faith-based leaders to lift their voices and educate their congregation about stroke, a disease that is significantly higher in African Americans than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Take a look around your congregation this Sunday, some of your members may be silently suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol—all major risk factors of stroke. But with the proper education and action, African Americans can reduce their risk of stroke.

Power Sunday is the day that churches across the country come together to raise awareness about stroke in African Americans. Encourage your church members to wear purple on this day to show their support. Futhermore, include a healthy message in your Sunday sermon, distribute educational information to your church members and have a church member who has survived a stroke share his/her personal experience with the congregation.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association needs your help in fighting stroke. Register your congregation to participate in Power Sunday and receive FREE materials to help you encourage individuals to…

• Register for the Power To End Stroke movement and Take the Pledge.
• Take a Personal Stroke Risk Assessment to learn about preventing stroke and reducing your risk.
• Adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Register online or download the registration form. We are giving away Soul Food cookbooks to the first 200 people who register for Power Sunday.

Fight of Our Life Health Tour - Auditions

Power To End Stroke and Kirk Franklin are teaming up to bring you the Fight of Our Life Health Tour. Maintaining good health is one of the greatest struggles in life, but we want you to know that you have the POWER to take charge of your health.

The Fight of Our Life Health Tour is a seven city tour that brings together gospel music and stroke awareness. It's a partnership between Kirk Franklin, Power To End Stroke and local businesses. All partners agreeing that stroke is a major threat to the African American community and believing that awareness and education are the initial steps in preventing and overcoming stroke. The tour will kick off in Houston in summer 2009 and will make stops in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Tulsa.

Do you know a Gospel performer that has what it takes to open up for Kirk Franklin? Well, we're looking for POWERful acts for the Fight of Our Life Health Tour. Auditions are open to GOSPEL soloists, groups, choirs, spoken word, rappers, instrumentalists and praise dancers. For more information, please visit the Fight of Our Life Health Tour webpage.

Become A Power To End Stroke Ambassador

As a Power To End Stroke Ambassador, you have the power to help shape the future in your African American community. Your voice has the power to educate. Your influence has the power to change behaviors. Your call has the power to mobilize others to work with you.

You can help African Americans take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and others in their community from the devastation of stroke. Serve as a volunteer Power To End Stroke Ambassador and help save lives in your community by providing leadership and education and mobilization to African Americans to reduce the risk of stroke.

If you are a...

• healthcare professional who wants to assure your patients the best in stroke prevention and care…
• leader in a social club who wants to make the fight against stroke a priority cause within your organization…
• leader of a faith-based organization who would like to educate your congregation on stroke prevention…
• volunteer who would like to spread the Power To End Stroke message…
  

We invite you to become a Power To End Stroke Ambassador.

Become a Power To End Stroke Ambassador