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World Stroke Day 2026

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WORLD STROKE DAY 2026 Theme: Every Minute Counts ; Every Stroke Survivor Matters Greetings everyone. Today, we join the world to commemorate World Stroke Day — a day to raise awareness, promote prevention, encourage early recognition, and remind everyone that stroke survivors deserve care, dignity, support, and the opportunity to live meaningful lives. In 2012, at the age of 33, my life changed dramatically when I suffered a stroke. I experienced severe difficulties with my speech and movement. I could not walk, and I struggled to communicate. My family and I faced uncertainty, fear, and the difficult journey of recovery. My hospital stay lasted more than three months. Recovery was not easy. It required patience, determination, medical care, rehabilitation, and support. Over time, I regained my ability to walk and recovered much of the movement in my right hand. However, some challenges, including difficulties with speech and memory, have remained. My experience taught me an important ...
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Community Outreach

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 Michael and Francisca Foundation Medical Outreach at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota On Saturday, 26th September 2026, the Michael and Francisca Foundation (MFF), in collaboration with the National Team of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, held a medical outreach at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota, Lagos. The outreach recorded a massive turnout, with many members of the community coming forward to receive medical attention, health information, and support. It was a beautiful demonstration of what can be achieved when organisations, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and the community come together with one common purpose: to promote health, dignity, and wellbeing for all. Doctors and other healthcare professionals were on ground to provide medical consultations and health assessments. Physiotherapists attended to people who needed rehabilitation support and guidance, while dental and eye-care professionals also provided essential services to participants. As part of...
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My Journey

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As someone living with hypertension in Nigeria, one of the biggest challenges I have faced is the lack of awareness and access to early prevention. Many people do not routinely check their blood pressure because hypertension often shows no symptoms until complications occur. Before i had my stroke , avoiding risk factors was difficult because there was little public education about healthy lifestyles, regular screening, stress management, and the dangers of untreated high blood pressure. Managing hypertension day-to-day is also challenging due to the high cost of healthcare and medications. In Nigeria, many people pay out of pocket for treatment, and the prices of blood pressure drugs, laboratory tests, and hospital visits can be difficult to sustain, especially during periods of economic hardship. Sometimes, patients skip medications or appointments because of financial constraints. Another challenge is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Healthy food options are often expensive, while s...
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World Hypertension Day! May 17th 2026

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  Good day everyone, Today, as we mark World Hypertension Day, we come together with one voice and one purpose — to raise awareness about hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, a silent killer affecting millions of people across the world. Hypertension does not always show signs or symptoms, yet it can lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, blindness, and sudden death if not properly managed. Many people are walking around with high blood pressure without even knowing it. That is why today is very important. As a stroke survivor and advocate, I understand the pain, fear, and challenges that come with non-communicable diseases. Through the work of the Michael and Francisca Foundation, we continue to educate communities, support survivors, and encourage people to know their numbers — check your blood pressure, know your blood sugar level, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and seek medical help early. Today’s message is simple: Prevention is better than cu...
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The World Obesity Day! Eight Billion Reasons to Act.

      Today, on World Obesity Day, we are reminded that there are Eight Billion Reasons to Act. Eight billion people in the world — and each life matters. There was a time I believed that when someone was overweight, it simply meant they were enjoying life. But I now understand that obesity is not about appearance. It is a chronic disease that increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Across the globe, obesity is rising at an alarming rate. It affects adults, young people, and even children. Excess body weight strains the heart, damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and significantly increases the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. This is why we must act. We must advocate for healthier food systems, promote physical activity in our communities, strengthen prevention programs, and ensure access to early screening and care. And we must do this without stigma — because support, not shame, saves lives. Eight billion reason...
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Support John’s Recovery: From Silence to Strength

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Greetings Introduction: In the journey of life, unexpected challenges often arise, and it is our collective responsibility to extend a helping hand to those in need. Today, I bring to your attention the story of John Onyezere, a courageous young man whose life was abruptly altered by a stroke at the tender age of 15. Now, at 18, he continues to endure the repercussions of this life-altering event due to financial constraints hindering his access to proper medical care, rehabilitation, and basic necessities. The Story of John:  Imagine being robbed of the ability to communicate, to express your thoughts and feelings freely. This is the reality that John faces every single day. His voice, once vibrant and filled with youthful enthusiasm, was silenced by the stroke that struck him down in his adolescence. Despite his unwavering determination, John's journey towards recovery has been fraught with obstacles, primarily due to financial limitations. The Urgent Need:  John's struggle ...
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Lived experience of cardiovascular disease (CVD), Nigeria

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Stroke: My Survival Story   My journey with CVD / Stroke began 19 years ago—not with me, but with my eldest brother, who had a stroke in London. Sadly, he died after experiencing a second stroke. At that time, I did not understand much about stroke, but that loss still stayed with me. In 2012, I was just 33 years old when I had my own stroke. Back then, I used to drink heavily and smoke cigarettes.   My stroke left me unable to speak (aphasia), move, or walk. Recovery was not immediate—it took me two and a half years to realize that healing is a long and costly process . Every single day, I take my medication, eat nutritious food—especially fruits and vegetables—and exercise just to stay alive. I've learned how expensive and emotionally draining it can be to rebuild your life from scratch . In 2016, my mother suffered a stroke. She had been living with diabetes  and the stroke came as a devastating blow to our family.Today marks a special mom...
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