Be Prepared! Recognise The Stroke. Act Fast.

Be Prepared! Recognise The Stroke. Act Fast.

SAFE met with SAFE board member Dorina Dobreva, founder and chair of the board for Association for Stroke and Aphasia (Bulgaria) and Dr. Georgi Georgiev, Vice President for Association for Stroke and Aphasia, to talk about their 2024 campaign for World Stroke Day

Every year on 29 October, World Stroke Day provides a global spotlight on stroke. For the Association for Stroke and Aphasia (ASA), this annual event is more than a date on the calendar – it is a call to action.

Why ASA chose to join the global movement

Although ASA is still a young organisation, founded in 2020, it sees involvement in international stroke campaigns as a vital responsibility. The team believes that raising awareness and sharing knowledge can make a real difference – even save lives.

“Although we are a relatively new stroke support organisation, we believe that our involvement in international stroke organisations such as the World Stroke Organisation and SAFE is a societal responsibility,” the organisation’s founder and chair of the board Dorina Dobreva explains. “It compels us to work towards enhancing the health skills of everyone in Bulgaria.”

From its inception, ASA has actively participated in World Stroke Day campaigns. For them, joining this global fight is a step toward building a healthier and more hopeful future.

Planning with purpose: setting goals and KPIs

When planning for the campaign, the team examined their stroke statistics in Bulgaria. They were alarmed by the growing number of young people experiencing strokes and the lack of action from policymakers.

“We decided to focus our 2024 campaign on spreading essential knowledge about stroke,” explains Dorina. “Its nature, risk factors, symptoms, and most importantly, how to act when it happens.”

This is where the team saw its greatest potential for impact: by improving public knowledge to help more people recognise stroke symptoms and seek treatment quickly to receive thrombolysis treatment (IVT).

“One proven way to change the pessimistic stroke statistics in Bulgaria is by improving access to IVT stroke treatment and therefore reducing disability as well as the social costs to the country as a whole.”

Key performance indicators included:

  • The percentage of ischaemic stroke patients who received IVT (thrombolysis) within the treatment window
  • The annual percentage of IVT-eligible patients compared to treatment rates across leading neurological departments

Inside the campaign

The 2024 campaign carried a clear message: “Be Prepared! Recognise The Stroke. Act Fast!”

One of the centrepieces was the “Pathway of knowledge” – a 7-metre interactive installation that gave people a hands-on way to learn about stroke in just minutes. Along the path, QR codes linked to deeper resources. At the end, participants could take a quick online quiz and even snap a selfie in support of the cause.

“Each person who has passed the ‘Pathway of knowledge about stroke’ will have all the information they need to save someone’s life,” says Dr. Georgi Georgiev, the organisation’s Vice President.

Other campaign features included:

  • A new Stroke infobot on Viber, offering instant access to stroke information
  • A dedicated National support line for stroke survivors and carers
  • Multiple educational videos (30 seconds to 2 minutes) shared across TV, social media and public displays
  • Consistent campaign visuals aligned with ASA’s brand and global stroke awareness imagery, shared across banners, press releases, and websites

Working with institutions and partners

Another impactful initiative was a series of expert-led events titled “Stroke – A look into the black box.” These national discussions brought together doctors, emergency services, policymakers, media and stroke survivors to map out the full stroke care journey from the moment symptoms appear to hospital treatment. The message was clear: no one organisation can fix this alone.

“At every meeting, all the experts agreed: the lack of public knowledge is a major issue. It delays emergency calls and transport to stroke centres, costing lives. We need to work together to do better” Georgi explains.

With long-standing support from the Municipality of Sofia, the team achieved two additional important wins:

  1. Their stroke awareness video would now be displayed year-round, not just twice a year.
  2. Trams and trolleybuses in Sofia with digital displays showed the video during the World Stroke Day campaign.

Extending activities to the whole of Bulgaria

The campaign was not limited to the capital, activities reached towns and cities across the country, including:

  • The “Pathway of knowledge” interactive installation in various public spaces
  • Educational videos and visual content shared online and through traditional media
  • Print materials, QR code resources and community-led information sessions

Wherever possible, people were encouraged to share photos of themselves at the end of the pathway to show support and spread the message further.

Mobilising volunteers

In 2024, the team faced a challenge – their usual partners at the Red Cross were unavailable to assist during the campaign. Undeterred, the team turned to friends, carers and stroke survivors for help.

“Many people joined us, especially during the ‘Pathway of knowledge’ events,” says Dorina. “Caregivers and medical experts also played a key role in spreading the word.”

The campaign’s national launch, held at Serdika Mall, was opened by ASA’s President and broadcast live on National Television.

What were the results?

Early signs are encouraging. Awareness is growing, more health professionals are taking part, and thousands have already visited the ‘Pathway of knowledge’. The campaign’s coverage is expanding, and public engagement is rising. Still, Dorina acknowledges that some results will take time.

“To truly understand the campaign’s impact, we will need to evaluate data mid-2025. This work will continue for years – but we are committed.”

Why create a campaign report?

ASA believes in transparency, responsibility and continuous learning. Documenting their efforts helps ensure that each campaign builds on the last.

“Achieving remarkable results is vital – but so is the process of getting there,” Georgi explains. “We want to demonstrate our capacity and innovation as a stroke support organisation. But more importantly, we want to stay aligned with values like honour, dignity, and mutual respect.”

Through clear goals, strategic action and a community-driven spirit, the team at ASA continues to push forward – building a stroke-aware Bulgaria, one step at a time.

Click to download the report here.

Contact Dorina to find out more: info@stroke.bg

VALIDATE: Ensuring the use of AI is safe in stroke care

VALIDATE: Ensuring the use of AI is safe in stroke care

On Brain Awareness Week’s sixth day we are focusing on Validate, an EU Horizon research project which is using AI to revolutionise stroke treatment by analysing patient data and helping doctors make faster, more informed decisions. A huge part of this project is ensuring that AI is trustworthy, safe, fair and reliable before its widespread hospital use.  

AI’s role in stroke treatment 

Over one million people in the EU suffer from ischemic strokes each year. Treatments like mechanical thrombectomy (removing the clot) and intravenous thrombolysis (dissolving the clot with medication) can be lifesaving, but their effectiveness varies based on factors like time since the stroke, patient age, health problems and genetics can affect the outcome. VALIDATE is developing an AI tool to help doctors select the best treatment for each patient. 

Ensuring AI is Safe and Fair 

To make AI a reliable medical tool, VALIDATE focuses on: 

  • Training AI with diverse data to reduce bias 
  • Collaborating with doctors, AI experts and patients 
  • Following EU safety and ethical regulations 
  • Continuously testing for accuracy and reliability 

Dr. Riana Mutua from the Berlin Institute for Health stresses the need for interdisciplinary collaboration: 

“Ensuring AI is trustworthy in healthcare requires more than just technical excellence. At VALIDATE, we work closely with doctors, patients and AI developers while following strict ethical and regulatory guidelines. By combining expertise across fields, we will create an AI system that doctors can trust – one that truly benefits patients and leads to more informed treatment decisions.” 

Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), highlights the importance of patient involvement: 

“It is essential that stroke survivors have a voice in the development of AI tools that will impact their care. Through VALIDATE, we ensure that this technology is designed with both patients and clinicians in mind. AI should not only support doctors in making better decisions but also improve outcomes and quality of life for those affected by stroke.” 

By prioritising safety, fairness and patient-centered design, VALIDATE is paving the way for more personalised, effective and trustworthy AI-assisted stroke care. 

Click to view video about how Validate makes AI safe

Or click to visit the Validate website

The VALIDATE project receives funding from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Programme under grant agreement number 101057263. 

RES-Q+: Transforming stroke care with artificial intelligence and digital innovation

RES-Q+: Transforming stroke care with artificial intelligence and digital innovation

On Brain Awareness Week’s fifth day we are focusing on RES-Q+, an EU Horizon-funded initiative, that will improve stroke care quality by combining artificial intelligence (AI) with stroke data.  

Building on the Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q), which collects stroke care information from over 2,100 hospitals in this project, aims to improve stroke treatment faster, more effective and easier to access. 

RES-Q+ will use technology to automatically collect hospital data. AI-powered virtual assistant tools will help doctors assess risks and improve treatment plans. These AI tools, developed with stroke survivors, will also support recovery by tracking progress, providing information and ensuring access to post-stroke care and rehabilitation. 

“By involving both patients and clinicians in the development of our tools, we ensure the technology the project develops meets their needs,” says Hendrik Knoche, project co-leader at Aalborg University. 

Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe, adds: “This could transform stroke recovery by making follow-up care more personalised and accessible.” 

For more information about the project  

Click to view video

Or click to visit the RES-Q+ website

Or contact SAFE on research@safestroke.eu 

RES-Q+ has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement No 101057603. 

 

 

TRUSTroke: AI-powered innovation for stroke recovery

TRUSTroke: AI-powered innovation for stroke recovery

On the fourth day of Brain Awareness Week, we are shining a spotlight on TRUSTroke.  

This project is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve stroke recovery by helping to predict future health risks. Stroke survivors often face unpredictable complications that may lead to hospital readmissions. The research team behind this EU Horizon funded project are working with stroke survivors in three European hospitals to develop an AI-driven system to personalise treatment and reduce risks such as serious post-stroke health issues, mobility challenges and recurring strokes. 

A key part of the project is an easy-to-use app, with new functionality co-designed with patients, that keeps stroke survivors connected with their healthcare professionals. Patients can track their progress and share updates, allowing healthcare professionals to tailor care more effectively.  

“Because this app is being optimised with input from stroke survivors, it will be accessible and simple to use,” says Carolina Lauzen, UX Designer at Nacar Design. 

Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe, highlights the impact: “This new technology will help healthcare professionals and stroke survivors work together on long-term recovery plans.”  

With AI and patients at its core, TRUSTroke is paving the way for improved lives after stroke. 

To learn more about the project: 

Click to view video about the app

Or visit the TRUSTroke website 

Or contact SAFE on research@safestroke.eu 

This project is supported by Horizon Europe under grant agreement Nº101080564 

EAST-STROKE: New EU-funded trial aims to prevent additional strokes in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation patients

EAST-STROKE: New EU-funded trial aims to prevent additional strokes in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation patients

On Brain Awareness Week’s third day we are focusing on a new international study, the EAST-STROKE trial, which is investigating a potential new treatment to prevent new strokes in patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF). Funded by the EU Horizon programme, the trial will test whether Rhythm Control, a method to restore normal heart rhythm, can reduce the risk of further strokes and heart problems in stroke patients with AF.  

AF is a common heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat, increasing the risk of blood clots that can lead to an ischemic stroke. While Rhythm Control is already used to treat AF, it has not yet been widely applied to acute stroke patients. The EAST-STROKE trial aims to change that by integrating this treatment early after a stroke, alongside standard care.  

“If the study confirms this new treatment strategy, it could change the way we treat stroke patients with atrial fibrillation worldwide and help prevent many new strokes,” said Professor Götz Thomalla, project coordinator and Director of Neurology at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). 

Launched in early 2025, the six-year trial will enroll 1,746 patients across Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia, with further expansion planned to the UK, Canada and Brazil. The study’s international scope aims to ensure that its findings can be widely implemented. 

Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), emphasized the potential impact: “This trial has the potential to improve stroke care across the globe, giving patients better outcomes and reducing the burden of stroke on individuals, families and healthcare systems.” 

If successful, the EAST-STROKE trial could lead to a major shift in stroke treatment, helping thousands of patients worldwide avoid recurrent strokes and heart complications. 

For more information, click to view video.

Or click visit the EAST-STROKE website.

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101156541 

Umbrella: Revolutionising stroke care – Faster treatment, better recovery and improved stroke prevention

Umbrella: Revolutionising stroke care – Faster treatment, better recovery and improved stroke prevention

On Brain Awareness Week’s third day we are focusing on another new EU-funded research project called UMBRELLA which aims to make stroke care faster, more effective and more accessible. The project, co-led by Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and Siemens Healthineers, will use advanced technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and real patient data to help doctors make better treatment decisions, improve recovery and prevent future strokes. 

What is a stroke? 

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (haemorrhagic stroke). When this happens, brain cells start to die quickly, which can cause serious damage or disability. Fast diagnosis and treatment are critical to save lives and improve recovery. 

How UMBRELLA is setting out to improve stroke care 

  • Faster diagnosis & treatment – UMBRELLA will help speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment, reducing delays that can lead to disability. 
  • Personalised care – Every patient is different. UMBRELLA will use data from seven European hospitals to develop AI models that support doctors in providing more personalised treatments. 
  • Better access to care – Not everyone gets the same level of care, especially in remote areas. UMBRELLA will introduce virtual recovery tools and wearable devices to help more patients. 
  • Understanding unknown strokes – About 1 in 4 strokes has no clear cause. UMBRELLA will study these cases to find better ways to prevent and manage strokes. 

A strong team across Europe 

The UMBRELLA project brings together hospitals, researchers, not for profit organisations and companies from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. Dr Carlos Molina, Head of the Stroke Research group at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and scientific leader of this project, says the project will set new standards for stroke care and improve lives. 

“We are proud to be part of this project, which will help stroke patients and survivors across Europe,” says Arlene Wilkie, Director General of SAFE. 

By improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention, UMBRELLA aims to transform stroke care and improve the quality of lives thousands of people. 

 

To learn more about the project: 

Click to visit the Umbrella website

Or contact SAFE on research@safestroke.eu 

 

This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101172825. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA, Europa Bío, MedTech Europe and Vaccines Europe.