Understanding Stroke: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Recovers from ABI
May 16, 2022
Fairfax, Va. – On Friday, May 13, John Fetterman, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, suffered a stroke. He joins the more than 795,000 people who have a stroke each year in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time when organizations such as the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) shine light on this important public health issue. Stroke is a leading cause of death for all Americans, and can impact anyone of any age. At 52, Fetterman is one of the 38% of Americans under age 65 who are hospitalized for stroke.
BIAA works to educate the public about stroke, invests in research to find cures for chronic brain injury, trains certified brain injury specialists, and provides direct to patient and caregiver support. BIAA’s #MilesInMay campaign for National Stroke Awareness Month raises funds to support all of these programs. The Association is the voice of brain injury on Capitol Hill, working closely with the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, which, if elected, Lt. Gov. Fetterman can choose to join.
In a statement released to the press on Sunday, Fetterman said that he was “well on his way to full recovery.” He credited this positive outcome with the early intervention of his wife, Gisele, who insisted that he go to the hospital when he began showing symptoms.
The pneumonic for stroke is “BE FAST” for this very reason: When suffering a stroke, every moment counts. Patients who arrive at the emergency room (ER) within three hours of their initial symptoms have been demonstrated to have less disability three months after their stroke than those who received delayed care.
If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, the compassionate, knowledgeable specialists at National Brain Injury Information Center can offer information and assistance in locating support services. Call now at 1-800-444-6443.
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About the Brain Injury Association of America:
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.
