The Nebraska Stroke Association’s vision is to be a statewide resource to reduce the impact of stroke and enhance the quality of life of those affected by stroke. Our mission is to serve Nebraskans through stroke prevention, education, advocacy, and support services.
Founded in 1985, the Nebraska Stroke Association (formerly the Nebraska Stroke Foundation and the Nebraska State Stroke Association) is one of the nation’s earliest nonprofit organizations focused on stroke prevention. Karyl Newman of Lincoln founded the organization after her husband, Dr. Charles Newman, had a massive stroke on September 6, 1984, and died five days later. She used the donations received in his memory to bring her vision to life—that the number and severity of strokes could be reduced if Nebraskans knew more about stroke and the risks and warning signs.
The first meeting for the organization was held in Karyl’s home, which served as headquarters for a number of years. Incorporated in 1985, Karyl served as board president until the early 1990s. In 1990, with increasing success and growing support among health-care providers, the board hired its first executive director and opened its first office.
Through health fairs, public outreach, and printed information, the Nebraska Stroke Association works to educate Nebraskans on stroke risk factors and stroke prevention; understanding the signs and symptoms of a stroke; the importance of acting fast when you think you or someone else has had a stroke; and how to cope with the aftereffects of stroke by providing resources to elevate the quality of life for stroke survivors and family members.
The association also provides educational programs for groups of all sizes that show participants how to reduce their own risk of stroke, teach them to recognize the warning signs of stroke in others, and help them understand what to do when they see those warning signs. Programs also provide information on how to increase the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families. Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented, and this information can be lifesaving.
The Nebraska Stroke Association provides all services at no charge. All donations received stay in Nebraska, working for Nebraskans. Please consider donating to our cause. Help us continue our work of striking out stroke in Nebraska. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We are a member of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.
Our association is always looking for volunteers, and we have speakers available for presentations. Please contact us for more information.
