Special to The Mississippi Link
Stroke is the nation’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability, and The Mississippi Link is honored to partner with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Greater Southeast Affiliate in its Power to End Stroke Campaign.
The Mississippi Link publisher Jackie Hampton and editor Gail M. Brown will also serve as ambassadors to the effort. “As a newspaper, we will run information each week to help educate the community,” said Hampton.
Power To End Stroke is a national campaign designed to raise awareness regarding the fight against stroke by forming strategic alliances with community leaders, corporations, and foundations that can maximize its impact. “With the help of the entire staff, we plan to take this campaign to a new level” Hampton said.
“We are so excited about the partnership because without partners like The Mississippi Link, we could not get the message out to the people, said Elaina Jackson, director of communication and MS Media Advocacy for the affiliate.
Hampton also served as an ambassador last year. Brown is a new ambassador.
“There are many health disparities among African Americans, especially when it comes to diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke I believe,” said Hampton. “We can make a positive impact utilizing our newspaper and our human resources.”
According to the American Stroke Association, a division of the AHA, the burden of stroke is greater among African-Americans than any other ethnic group in America. Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared to whites, and blacks, 35-54 years old, have four times the relative risk for stroke.
More than 100,000 African Americans have a stroke each year, and many do not know why they are at risk. The Mississippi Link will take its role as a partner very serious by utilizing it’s print edition, online edition and web site to communicate warning signs and risk factors of stroke and by providing tools of how to prevent stroke and even reduce the pain and suffering from stroke. The staff is committed to taking the message to churches and communities while helping to recruit more ambassadors.
Throughout this year’s campaign, The Link will provide many tips on how to prevent these risks and how to manage stroke.
In the upcoming weeks great soul-food recipes for healthier living will be provided in The Mississippi Link, which will soon become the weekly source for information on strokes.
Anyone desiring to become an ambassador for the stroke campaign may contact elaina.jackson@heart.orgor publisher@mississippilink.com.
Be the first to comment