Stroke Aid: Gütersloh honors heroes of life and hope

Stroke Aid: Gütersloh honors heroes of life and hope

Gütersloh experienced an emotional evening full of hope and inspiration! At the seventh presentation of the Motivational Prize of the German Stroke Aid Foundation, which was founded by Liz Mohn, impressive stories of overcoming and courage were told. “A stroke can change everything, from one second to the next,” emphasized Mohn and reminded the guests of the importance of support from specialists and volunteers.

A total of three affected people, volunteers and experts were honored, including the well-known singer Patricia Kelly, who has been committed to the foundation for years. “I feel extremely honored,” said the 55-year-old, who accepted the award on behalf of all those who quietly work for others. The actress Friederike Linke and the neurologist Professor Otto Busse were also recognized for their tireless efforts, which led to the introduction of specialist stroke wards in Germany.

Impressive stories of overcoming

The event was enriched with a moving eulogy by TV presenter Monica Lierhaus, who herself had suffered a stroke. She highlighted how many of those affected have fought their way back to life. The lawyer Peter Sczczekalla, who struggled with speech loss after his stroke, and the Hamburg resident Rafaela Vazquez, who now helps others as a nutrition coach, are just a few examples of the tireless fight against the disease.

Another highlight of the evening was the cancellation of Elke Büdenbender, the Federal President's wife, who was unable to attend due to illness. Nevertheless, the event was accompanied by musical performances, including by Alyssa Schmitz, and led by board of trustees member Markus Klimmer, who honored the award winners. The volunteers, like Dagmar Grundmann, who founded a self-help group, and Sabine Höwelkröger, who supports families with disabilities with her “Stroke Families” initiative, testify to the power of community and tireless commitment to others.