Alysa's Alliance: Support a Young Stroke Survivor

A 27-year-old stroke survivor needs your help!

On Wednesday, December 16, family and friends cheered for Alysa McCormick as she walked across the stage at Arizona State University to receive her Master’s degree. The very next day, on Thursday, December 17, she suffered a massive stroke. Thankfully, she and her roommate were both home at the time. Thanks to her quick-thinking roommate, Alysa was rushed to the nearest hospital in time to receive clot-busting medicine. Though it was touch and go, she survived the stroke and 2 subsequent brain surgeries. Anyone who knows Alysa will not be surprised to hear that she is beating the odds already.

It’s heart-breaking to see Alysa lying so still and quiet. If you know Alysa, you know her laugh can fill up a room- or even a stadium (probably the Sun Devils stadium). And she was always on the move- fund-raising walks, going to concerts, going to Disney, riding her Peloton, and walking Luna and Louie (her beloved Husky and Corgi). And you know she loves to travel - if you were going around the world or just across town, she was down for it! Her recent travels included a trip to Ireland with some of her cousins, and business trips to Miami and Chicago- and you know she was already planning her next big adventure.

Nothing speaks more to the quality of Alysa’s character than witnessing the outpouring of love and support from her many, many friends who have visited, called, delivered coffee, snacks, and meals, and sent cards and flowers. Her friends from her undergrad days at Barrett Honors college have been present and rooting for her from Day 1. Her team from Amazon and former colleagues from Target have been incredibly supportive as well.

Her parents and her brother have been by her side constantly. Her aunts, uncles, and cousins have also been with her through these critical weeks. In the days, weeks, and months to come, Alysa will have all the love and support in the world.

Her medical team has given us reason to be optimistic about her recovery, but she will need ongoing and intensive treatment and therapies to reach her full potential. Her medical insurance will provide coverage for some therapy, but it will be limited by caps, will come with co-payments, won’t cover some treatments, and won’t provide the kind of aggressive and progressive therapy and treatments warranted given her young age.

Alysa always showed up. For family. For friends. For fun. For adventures. Please show up for her.