Houston, Texas (February 2007) � Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Closer to home, the mortality rate for stroke in Harris County is steadily rising. In an effort to combat this disease, WHR Architects, Inc. (WHR) has joined forces with The Methodist Hospital System, raising awareness and funds to help reduce the incidence of stroke in the greater Houston area.
Through The Methodist Hospital System�s inaugural Stride4Stroke 5K Walk/Run on March 24, 2007, at Rice University, WHR is helping to increase stroke awareness through Houston�s only 5K event dedicated solely to this debilitating disease.
"Methodist's Stroke Awareness Campaign, Stride4Stroke, is an important educational effort that will greatly benefit the health of our community. WHR Architects is pleased to be able to participate in this worthwhile initiative," said David Watkins, FAIA, WHR Chairman of the Board.
Methodist�s 5K Walk/Run is part of a comprehensive initiative called �Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign�. Led by the Methodist Neurological Institute�s (NI) Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, the five-year plan is designed to promote education and awareness of stroke symptoms, treatment, prevention and research through the annual implementation of a series of events.
�Our goal is to work with community leaders to help create a stroke education network that can be used by urban hospitals and communities throughout the nation,� said Ron Girotto, president & CEO of The Methodist Hospital System. �We are honored that WHR has partnered with Methodist in raising awareness of stroke.�
�Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke,� said Dr. David Chiu, medical director of the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center. �By making people more aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, and the options for treatment and prevention, we could change that.�
For more information on the Methodist Stride4Stroke 5K Walk/Run, visit www.methodisthealth.com/S4S.
For more information on WHR Architects, visit www.whrarchitects.com.
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WHR Architects, a full service architecture and interior design firm focused on designing healthcare, research and academic facilities, balances critical thinking and an ingrained empathy to deliver improved project outcomes and positive working experiences for their clients. With over 150 staff located in Houston and Dallas, the 28-year-old firm is working on projects around the country for top�tier public and private institutions. 
