(NewMediaWire) - April 10, 2025 - HONOLULU – Cardiovascular disease, including heart and stroke conditions, is the leading cause of death in Hawaii.[1] The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is leading a statewide initiative to strengthen the full spectrum of stroke care across Hawaii with a new multi-million dollar commitment for its Mission: Lifeline Stroke supported by a $5.8 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and a commitment of $1 million from the American Heart Association. 

Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in Hawaii and is the number one cause of disability across the islands.[2] The acute nature of strokes is particularly deadly and requires time-sensitive treatment to save lives and reduce lasting disability. Mission: Lifeline Stroke focuses on connecting all components of acute stroke care into a smoothly integrated system that reinforces the use of evidence-based guidelines to timely and effectively treat stroke patients. It brings together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, and state and local government to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.

“When it comes to stroke, every second counts,” stated Governor Josh Green, M.D. “As governor and a physician, I am deeply committed to improving healthcare for all our residents. This initiative is a transformative step in ensuring that even our most rural communities have access to lifesaving stroke care. By enhancing coordination among emergency responders, hospitals, and healthcare providers, we can deliver timely and effective treatment to every stroke patient, including rehabilitation and access to post-acute care facilities, no matter where they live.”

This is the latest in a series of Helmsley grants in Mission: Lifeline’s system of care model for cardiac and stroke care.

“We believe this program is the best way to significantly enhance stroke care, especially in underserved rural communities,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The stroke program in Hawaii builds upon the success of similar initiatives funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust across the country. Since 2010, Helmsley has committed more than $96.7 million to the American Heart Association's mission, playing a foundational role in strengthening statewide systems of care. Their support has advanced Mission: Lifeline STEMI and Stroke projects in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa. These efforts are strengthening statewide networks and implementing quality standards in post-acute facilities, ultimately improving patient outcomes and access to lifesaving care for rural and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“The Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative is a groundbreaking effort to enhance stroke care across the Hawaiian Islands, reinforcing our commitment to advancing equitable health for all,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “We are proud to lead this initiative in collaboration with Hawaii’s leaders, ensuring that patients—regardless of where they live—have access to timely, high-quality stroke care.”

As a key component to Mission: Lifeline Stroke Hawaii, the Association will increase coordination among 24 hospitals across Hawaii, including the seven certified stroke centers, six additional community hospitals and nine critical access hospitals. Additionally, 18 facilities will implement Post-Acute Stroke Care Quality Standards to improve recovery outcomes. The initiative also focuses on increasing awareness of hypertension and stroke through culturally authentic education resources, addressing higher stroke mortality rates among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

Mission: Lifeline Stroke will further strengthen the collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the state representing local hospitals, the Hawaii Stroke Coalition, the Hawaii Department of Health and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) champions to guide a statewide stroke system of care, including:

• Improved public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of a stroke and the need to call 911, with focused attention on diverse ethnic populations disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular risk factors and disease
• A coordinated EMS network, well-trained to identify and treat suspected stroke patients quickly and transport them to the most appropriate facility, and early activation of downstream care teams;
• Well-trained hospital staff who are prepared to properly treat stroke patients and transfer, when appropriate, to higher levels of care and high-quality rehabilitation services;
• Coordination and collaboration among hospitals across the islands;
• Seamless discharge to high-quality, post-acute stroke rehabilitation and recovery care;
• Guideline-directed, standardized care in post-acute stroke care facilities to improve recovery and quality of life and skilled nursing facilities certified in post-acute stroke care;
• A sustainable statewide quality improvement data system to monitor patient care, identify successes and areas in need of further improvement and support;
• Robust, collaborative infrastructure for long-term attention to stroke outcomes across the state; and a report to guide future stroke efforts for key stakeholders across the state.

Additional Resources:

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• News Release Translations: Spanish | Chinese (Traditional) | Chinese (Simplified) | Korean | Tagalog

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About the American Stroke Association
The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook and X.

About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $800 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org. 

For Media Inquiries:

Megan Davidson: 701-741-9188; Megan.Davidson@Heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 28). Stats of the states - stroke mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/stroke_mortality/stroke.htm

Stats of the States - Stroke Mortality

[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 28). Stats of the states - stroke mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/stroke_mortality/stroke.htm

 Stats of the States - Stroke Mortality

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