These words of greeting, written at the entrance of the Fundacio Ictus Barcelona, are also a major motivation for the team of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia
On July 12, 2024, Eng. Dorina Dobreva visited Fundacio Ictus. Within the framework of an extremely fruitful meeting with Mercè Ayesta, project coordinator, opportunities for future partnership between the Bulgarian Association for Stroke and Aphasia (AIA) and the Catalan Foundation were discussed.
The Ictus Foundation is known for its dedication to stroke survivors and their loved ones. With its team of healthcare professionals and external collaborators, the foundation provides high-quality care and support through the ABRIC program. This program offers free help and advice to stroke survivors and their families, accompanying them from the moment they are discharged from the hospital and throughout the recovery stage.
One of the foundation's most significant projects is the innovation project HARMONICS, which aims to harmonize data collection to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The project involves partnerships with a number of health institutions and is subsidized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
In her conversation with Mercè Ayesta, Ms. Dobreva got acquainted with these projects and expressed her admiration for the achievements. As Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the AIA, she shared that the potential partnership between the Association and the Fundacio Ictus can lead to many fruitful joint initiatives.
Xavier Trias, President of the Board of Trustees of the Fundacio Ictus, emphasizes the importance of awareness and support for people who have suffered a stroke: "Stroke is an acute disease that no one expects, but it affects one in six people throughout their lives. This disease is the first cause of disability and the first cause of death in women and the second in men. In Catalonia alone, about 13,000 new stroke diagnoses are registered every year, of which 10% are in people under 55 years of age. These figures show that we still have a long way to go. Since its inception, we have worked tirelessly with a clear commitment to raising awareness, research, and supporting survivors of this acute disease and their families."
These words unite the two organizations with confidence in the importance of cooperation and exchange of experience between stroke workers. The partnership between the Association for Stroke and Aphasia and Fundacio Ictus promises to be a step forward in this direction, uniting the efforts of both organizations to better support and care for people who have suffered a stroke.