Child stroke survivor celebrated nationwide

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke, one of the leading causes of serious, long-term disability. To spotlight the courage and dedication of those impacted by stroke, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is honoring seven nationwide recipients through its annual Stroke Hero Awards, including 12-year-old Mackenzie Childs of Spanaway who survived a stroke when she was in preschool.

The awards celebrate stroke survivors, caregivers, health care professionals and advocates who are advancing awareness, education and support for the stroke community nationwide. Recognized each May, during American Stroke Month, the Association – a global force changing the future of health of all – honors these Stroke Heroes and proudly advocates for stroke survivors year-round.

Those who have had a stroke often must work against physical, emotional and cognitive changes to move forward. This year’s winners demonstrate how personal experiences can drive public impact – from publishing support guides and launching nonprofits, to advocating in hospitals and local communities.

Makenzie Childs is being honored as the Pediatric Hero. After suffering a stroke, she not only pulled through after intensive therapy, now she’s a vibrant competitive dancer. The Childs family became involved with a pediatric stroke support and awareness group to help people facing the same crisis. The family also raises awareness as patient ambassadors for the local children’s hospital. Childs shared her experience on the Stroke Stories podcast and danced to raise funds for pediatric stroke care.

Childs survived a pediatric stroke when she was just a preschooler. Her ordeal began in October 2017, on a fateful Pre-K trip to an autumn pumpkin patch, where she suddenly collapsed in the middle of a corn maze.

Initially, an urgent care provider diagnosed her with a concussion, but her symptoms got much worse at home. Child’s parents took her to a pediatric hospital emergency room, where the doctor delivered a shattering diagnosis. She had experienced a stroke, the damage was irreversible, and she might have a hole in her heart.

Childs underwent intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy to help her overcome the challenges from her ischemic stroke, which doctors determined was caused by focal cerebral arteriopathy, a narrowing or thickening of the large cerebral arteries.

Determined to overcome the damage from the stroke, little Makenzie worked hard at outpatient therapy after leaving the hospital. Meanwhile, her family got involved with advocacy for pediatric stroke patients. Childs returned to school and resumed dance lessons. She also took Pilates, which helped her strengthen her muscles.

Child’s family became involved with a pediatric stroke support and awareness group to help people facing the same crisis. Childs has shared her experience on the Stroke Stories podcast and danced to raise funds for pediatric stroke care.

As a vibrant competitive dancer, Childs has become an advocate for dancers of all ability levels. In the past year, Makenzie’s and her dance studio competed at KAR Dance Nationals. Childs’ solo won the National Champions title, and she also won the KAR Miss Inspirational Junior Dancer of the Year.

Her parents say that, while their daughter’s stroke was one of the most difficult times of their life, they feel compelled to share her story with people to spread awareness and inspiration. A terrible diagnosis is devastating, they say, but it doesn’t have to shatter your child’s dreams.

The other winners include Caregiver Hero Lana Wilhelm, St. Louis; Equity Hero Carolyn Brown, Canton, Conn.; F.A.S.T. Hero Sheila Beal, Raleigh, NC; Group Heroes Helping Kids with Hemiplegia, Chapel Hill, NC; Survivor Hero Brisa Alfaro, Apple Valley, Calif.; and Voters’ Choice Hero Kathleen O’Leary, Buffalo, NY.

Winners were selected by a nationwide panel of volunteer judges from the American Stroke Association, except for the Voters’ Choice Award, which was selected by online popular vote.

For more information, visit stroke.org/heroawards.

Do you know a Stroke Hero? Nominations for 2026 will open in October. Those submitting nominations must be at least 18 years old. Nominees and nominators must be legal residents of the U.S. including District of Columbia and territories. To be eligible to win, a nominee cannot have won a Stroke Hero Award or been recognized as part of a Real Women Class for the American Heart Association in the past five years. Get more information at strokeheroes@heart.org.