City of Cornwall and Cornwall Community Hospital Recognize Stroke Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 17, 2025 – June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada, and the City of Cornwall and Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) are working together to highlight the importance of stroke education, prevention, and timely treatment.
Mayor Justin Towndale has proclaimed June as Stroke Awareness Month in Cornwall, and CCH proudly serves as the District Stroke Centre for the Eastern Champlain Region, coordinating care from prevention and emergency treatment to recovery and rehabilitation.
Both the City and CCH remind residents that stroke is a medical emergency, and every second counts. Recognizing the signs early can save lives and reduce long-term impacts. The FAST acronym can be used to identify stroke symptoms:
F – Face: Is it drooping?
A – Arms: Can you raise both?•
S – Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?•
T – Time: Call 911 immediately (do not drive yourself to the hospital)
As part of Stroke Awareness Month, the City Hall fountain will be illuminated red from June 13 to 17. CCH will also be sharing behind-the-scenes videos on its social media channels and has a variety of engagement activities planned with staff.
At CCH, patients showing signs of stroke are assessed immediately upon arrival. If needed, the Emergency Department activates a Code Stroke, triggering a rapid response from lab staff, imaging teams, and neurologists via the hospital’s tele-stroke system. CT scans are reviewed in real time to determine if urgent treatments like thrombolysis or Endovascular Therapy are required.
For ongoing care, CCH’s 10-bed Acute Stroke Unit is staffed by a specialized team focused on recovery. The Stroke Prevention Clinic also supports patients after a stroke or TIA with personalized plans to reduce the risk of recurrence.
“As the District Stroke Centre, CCH is uniquely equipped to handle acute stroke cases with a coordinated, rapid response thanks to our teams,” says Jeanette Despatie, CCH President and CEO. “We’re proud to lead this critical service for our community and we thank the City for promoting stroke awareness.”
“June is Stroke Awareness Month, and it serves as a vital reminder to prioritize our health and educate ourselves about stroke prevention and recovery,” says Mayor Justin Towndale. “This year, the City of Cornwall is proud to partner with CCH on an awareness campaign to build a healthier, more informed community.”
