Stroke recovery research receives multimillion dollar boost

The Heart and Stroke Foundation today announced $10 million in funding to its partner organization, the Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery (CSR) to fund research in the area of stroke recovery.

"The Centre for Stroke Recovery is redefining research, stroke care, and stroke recovery across the country," says David Sculthorpe, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "This contribution will facilitate new discoveries and help stroke survivors recover faster than ever before. We are extremely grateful for the contributions from the Centre's current partners which include Baycrest, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and our new partner, Memorial University."

CSR partners are committed to transforming outcomes by dramatically reducing the incidence of stroke and improving recovery and quality of life for stroke survivors and caregivers. Funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the CSR's other partners will support vital research and accelerate its pace.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Approximately 50,000 strokes occur in Canada each year — that's one every 10 minutes — and 315,000 Canadians are living with the after-effects of a stroke. Many more experience covert stroke, with devastating cumulative effects. Each year, nearly 14,000 Canadians die from stroke and more women than men die from stroke. Of those who survive, more than half require ongoing assistance with daily activities. Stroke costs the Canadian economy $3.6 billion a year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity.