Representatives of the White Rock/South Surrey Stroke Recovery Branch will be out in force Monday afternoon (June 2), at the Dr. Bryan Prentice Strides for Stroke Walk n’ Roll event, taking place on White Rock's waterfront.
It wasn't long ago that local members and officials faced the branch's uncertain future, after "devastating" news last November that March of Dimes Canada would be ending funding for the Stroke Recovery Association of B.C., and provincial program instructor contracts would not be renewed past March 31, 2025.
"Rather than give up, our stroke survivors took action," a news release issued Wednesday (May 28) states, describing a campaign to raise awareness of the group and its needs.
The effort paid off, with White Rock Firefighters (Local 2407) in early May donating $10,000 – support that "would not have been possible" without the efforts of Myra Merkal, the mother of a crew member, the release continues, adding the funds helped the local branch meet its financial goal for the year.
Stroke Recovery Association of B.C. program instructor Laurie McFarlane described the outcome as "nothing short of a miracle.”
“I am in awe of this incredible group of people – stroke survivors facing their own daily challenges, yet so passionate about their stroke family and determined not to let us fail," she said in the release.
"With such a committed team behind me, my job becomes a joy.”
McFarlane noted a variety of weekly programs for stroke survivors are run out of the Horst and Emmy Werner Centre for Active Living, located at 1475 Anderson St., including a walking and gardening program.
For more information, call 604-536-4673 or email wrstroke@gmail.com
Monday's walk event – open to everyone – is set to get underway at the pier at 3:30 p.m., with a warm-up and live music preceding the 4 p.m. 'Walk n' Roll.' Later that evening, the pier is to gain a royal blue glow, in recognition of stroke recovery.
