Burden of Stroke is Greater Among African-Americans Than Any Other Group
What: Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta
Scott King, hosts an American Stroke Association event that
rallies together African-American leaders from across the country
in the fight against stroke. Stroke, a disease that touches
African-Americans at a greater rate than other ethnic groups, is
devastating the African-American community.
Who: Yolanda King, spokesperson for the American Stroke Association, a
division of the American Heart Association and powerful African-
American leaders in politics, religion, healthcare, the arts,
sports and entertainment
When: Thursday, May 18, 2006, at 6:00 -- 9:00 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica Hotel, 530 West Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Why: Almost all African-Americans know someone who has been or will be
affected by stroke. This year alone, nearly 100,000 African-
Americans will suffer a stroke. Within recent years, Coretta
Scott King, Kirby Puckett, Luther Vandross, Angela Bofil and
Robert Guillaume have all suffered from stroke. The
ramifications can be deadly and overwhelming for the stroke
victims and their families.
African-Americans have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke
compared with whites, and many don't know that they are at risk.
Those 34-54 years-old have four times the relative risk for
stroke.
Stroke is the No. 3 killer in the United States and a leading
cause of disability. That's why African-Americans are joining
the Power To End Stroke campaign to help each other live longer,
stronger lives.
The Power to End Stroke campaign is supported nationally by the
Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership.
For more information please visit
http://www.strokeassociation.org/power or call the American
Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE.
CONTACT: Valencia McClure, +1-214-550-1704, or cell, +1-214-405-5148, or mcclurev@mcclurepr.com , for American Stroke Association; or Toiya Honore of American Stroke Association, +1-214-706-1456, or Toiya.honore@heart.org .