Stroke Surviors

On October 13, 2016 I suffered an Ischemic Stroke. I couldn't speak clearly, I had a visible facial droop and couldn't walk properly- and I was lucky.  My Chicago Blue Rugby teammates are mostly Chicago police/fire.  They recognized the signs and rushed me to the hospital.  Several weeks later, angry and stressed that I was now a stroke victim, I realized I needed help and I had to be around other survivors. I entered Presence Resurrection Medical Center’s new art therapy program for stroke survivors.  It helped me deal with my sense of loss, feeling sorry for myself and in the end how grateful I was that I survived.  It showed me that I am not alone.

The Art Therapy for Stroke Survivors at Presence Resurrection Medical Center is available through partnerships with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Adler University.  The program has been funded by the donation of a family who lost their husband/father to stroke. Those funds are now gone. On October 14 - 1 year after my stroke -I will run the Ditka Dash 5k to raise money for the continuation of this program. Please support me and all stroke survivors by making a donation.  My company, Edrington will double match every dollar I raise.

I was 41 years old.  Stroke can happen to anyone.  I am grateful that I am able to run this fall to raise money for the people who helped me so much.  My goal is to raise $5,000.00 for Resurrection Hospital art therapy program.

Please help me reach my goal.

Thank you in advance!

Mark