A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function caused by interrupted blood flow. It is a medical emergency that can affect any one of us, at any time, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. In Canada, 50,000 people – one every seven minutes – has a stroke each year. Another 500,000 live with its devastating effects.

"Few medical conditions are more personal than a stroke. It can strip you of your intellect, your independence, your speech, your dignity and, in the end, often your life," says Dr. Philip Teal, Director of the Stroke Program at VGH.

VGH is the leading hospital in BC for stroke and cerebrovascular diseases. It is made up of highly trained and skilled neurologists, radiologists, nurses and other allied health professionals who are on-call, 24/7, for the province. The Stroke Program at VGH needs funding to help attract, recruit and retain the best and brightest medical stars in order to bring the very best stroke care, and promising research to the people of BC today and well into the future.