ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND – Coinciding with Stroke Awareness Month, March of Dimes Canada (MODC) is pleased to announce renewed and increased provincial funding for its After Stroke program from the Department of Health and Community Services. The one-year, $215,750 investment will increase access for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to the personalized recovery program that helps survivors and their families navigate the path forward after a stroke.

This investment in After Stroke will enable MODC to build on previous provincial investments to provide more support to stroke survivors and their families. Since its establishment in Newfoundland and Labrador last year, After Stroke participants reported feeling more empowered, safe, and connected to others and the community.

“With the high prevalence of stroke in this province, we acknowledge the valuable need for better stroke care in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services. “This funding will provide skills and resources to stroke survivors and family members and caregivers to support community reintegration and improve patient outcomes.”

"We are thrilled to receive this increased funding from the Department of Health and Community Services in support of After Stroke,” says Len Baker, President and CEO of March of Dimes Canada. “June is Stroke Awareness month across Canada. There is no better time to celebrate the news that more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians impacted by stroke will be able to access compassionate support and education through our innovative program to aid in their recovery.”

“Thanks to this funding, more people who have survived stroke and their caregivers will be able to access customized support for their journey, from the first days in the hospital, to seamlessly transitioning back home, to the challenges and victories that follow," says Rebecca Bourbonnais, March of Dimes Canada’s Regional Director, Community Support Services. “We thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for this financial support and look forward to our renewed partnership to help those recovering from stroke to live well in their communities.”

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Media Inquiries:  

Rebecca Bourbonnais 

Regional Director, Community Support Services 

March of Dimes Canada 

rbourbonnais@marchofdimes.ca 

902-401-8246 

Tina Coffey  

Department of Health and Community Services 

Tcoffey@gov.nl.ca 

709-687-9903 

About March of Dimes Canada  

March of Dimes Canada is a leading national charity committed to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change that will help people with disabilities across the country unlock the richness of their lives. We’re paving the way for people with disabilities to experience full and meaningful lives in an inclusive world. We hope you’ll join us. 

About Stroke in Canada 

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and cells begin to die. Anyone can have a stroke, including children and young people, but the risk increases as you get older.  There are more than 108,000 new strokes in Canada each year – about one every five minutes – but better and faster treatment means there are more stroke survivors than ever before.

About March of Dimes Canada’s After Stroke Program 

March of Dimes Canada supports stroke survivors and their families through programs like After Stroke, in-home community-based care, and more. After providing after stroke services for two decades, March of Dimes Canada established After Stroke in 2021 to fill gaps in the system and give those affected by stroke a seamless transition from hospital to home and beyond. By offering support tailored to each individual, the program helps people impacted by stroke to establish a much-needed sense of connection, and equips them with mentorship, tools, and resources needed to resume their lives and re-engage with the people, places, and activities in their communities they love and value. For more information about After Stroke, please visit afterstroke.ca.