Stroke Support Organization
Outreach Email
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Dear US Stroke Support Organization Affiliate,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is David Dansereau, and I am a stroke survivor, physical therapist and advocate who has worked with the stroke community for over 18 years. I am reaching out to share an important initiative that I believe aligns with the mission of the American Heart/Stroke Association and its affiliates.
I am launching a National Stroke Support Organization (SSO) Survey to better understand the challenges, funding gaps, and needs of community-based stroke support and education programs across the United States. As you know, many SSOs play a critical role in survivor recovery and caregiver support, yet they often struggle to secure sustainable funding and visibility.
Take the Survey Here: Know Stroke 2025 Stroke Support Organization Survey
The survey is designed to gather insights directly from organizations like yours so we can:
- Document the current state of community-based stroke support.
- Identify unmet needs and service gaps.
- Elevate the voices of SSOs in national conversations about stroke care.
What's Next?
Survey responses will inform an upcoming report and will also be featured in my new book, Closure After Stroke, which highlights my stroke story along with other survivor voices and systemic gaps in stroke care.
Thank you in advance for helping ensure that a robust and diverse sample of the perspectives of SSOs are included and amplified. Please let me know if you’d like more details, or if there is a best way to collaborate with your office on outreach.
With appreciation,
David Dansereau,MSPT, CAPS | Founder Know-Stroke.org
Stroke Survivor, Advocate, and Co-Host of the Know Stroke Podcast
From my research to date, I've learned there are an estimated 500–700 SSOs across the U.S., most of them run by survivors and caregivers themselves. They operate on shoestring budgets, relying on volunteers, small donations, or the occasional grant.
Too many are one funding crisis away from closing. It's time to act!
David Dansereau | Know-Stroke.org
A short announcement with more background can be found here:
Stroke Support Organizations Are Struggling — Know Stroke Substack.
I would be grateful if you could help by:
- Sharing the survey with any local stroke support organizations or survivor/caregiver groups in your network.
- Encouraging leaders of these groups to participate and contribute their experiences and lessons learned.
ps- I hope you can help! Please share your thoughts in the survey and pass along this survey to any SSO leaders you know. Thank you!
