ATLANTA, May 1 -- More than 100,000 African Americans have a stroke every year and are almost twice as likely to have a stroke compared to Caucasians.

But stroke is not inevitable. And a stroke doesn’t have to be debilitating or deadly. If you know your risks, control your risk factors—such as high blood pressure and diabetes—and work with your doctor to eliminate or manage your risks, you may prevent stroke. If you know the warning signs and get prompt medical attention, rehabilitation and survival are possible—even probable.

But many people don’t know what to look for or what the risks are. For this reason, the American Stroke Association initiated the Power to End Stroke campaign.

BeBe Winans, the impassioned tenor who has won four Grammy Awards, adds his voice to the campaign and urges Americans to call the American Stroke Association at (888) 4-STROKE or visit www.strokeassociation.org/power to:

•take the stroke pledge—receive a card from the American
 Stroke Association that has a pledge for you to recite,
 making a personal commitment to reduce your risk of
 stroke; and

•request free information about African Americans and
 stroke and how to reduce stroke risk for yourself, your
 family and your community.

Winans is joined by Baton Rouge native Dr. Rani Whitfield, who returned to his hometown after graduating from medical school and offered his services to the community, most notably becoming team doctor at a Baton Rouge high school. When the kids heard him playing some old-school hip-hop, they dubbed him Tha Hip Hop Doc. Dr. Whitfield took the cue and made good use of his newfound fame, engaging in a 12-month campaign, five days a week during the evening drive on WEMX Max
94.1 FM, aptly titled the “Hip-Hop Medical Moment” and highlighting topics that affect the Black community.

Dr. Whitfield gives this advice to reduce your risk of stroke:

•Eat a balanced diet emphasizing a variety of fruits,
 vegetables, grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, fish,
 legumes and sources of protein low in saturated fat.

•Get physically active at least 30 minutes per day, most
 days of the week.

•Don’t smoke—if you smoke, stop.

•Schedule regular visits with your doctor.

The Power To End Stroke campaign is supported nationally by the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership.