BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Stroke Awareness Oregon, a local nonprofit working to eliminate death and disability from stroke, Is pleased to announce the addition of four new  members to its board of directors and to introduce the staff. 

These additions to the board of directors will assure the organization’s continued success in assuring accomplishment of board goals. 

Stroke Awareness Oregon Goals are 1) to educate about the causes and prevention of stroke, 2) to make B.E.F.A.S.T. a household safety word and 3) to support the recovery of stroke warriors and their families.  The newly appointed Board members are:

Ralph Cortese – Prior to relocating to Bend, Mr. Cortese was a businessman and business owner.  Serving as Vice-President of Advanced Labor he also was the founder and/partner of National Staffing Services.  He currently is the Manager of Southside Storage and U-haul.  As a dedicated community volunteer, Mr. Cortese has been active with Stroke Awareness Oregon in many capacities including Silver Moon Bingo, Raplh’s Rummage fund raiser and facilitating the men’s stroke warrior group.  Ralph is the founder and owner of Stroke Warrior Radio.   He is committed to growing Stroke Awareness Oregon and sharing his skills and enthusiasm.

Christin Hunter – Ms Hunter is a principal realtor broker with Duke Warner Realty.  A successful businesswoman and graduate of Leadership Oregon she serves on the Oregon State Association of Realtor Government Affairs Committee.  A member of the National Realtors Association, Oregon Realtors Association and Central Oregon Association of Realtors,  Christin was named in 2016 one of Cascade Business News Accomplished under 40.  Having been an involved community volunteer, she has served with The Center Foundation, Healing Reins and Co-Serve International.   A practitioner of servant leadership, she plans to use her skills so that those who experience stroke have an opportunity to live their best possible life.

Steve McDonald –  A title and escrow professional, Mr. McDonald is the owner/manager of Deschutes County Title. He has been involved in the community  as President of Rotary Club of Bend and a board member for Habitat for Humanity.   Steve has numerous interests as a board member including finance, education, special events and marketing.   He and his business are Most Valuable Partners for Stroke Awareness Oregon and he states “I am a strong believer in what Stroke Awareness Oregon is doing.”

Aryn Seiler – An estate planning and litigation attorney at Lynch, Murphy, McLane LLP, Ms Seiler joins the board willing to do whatever is needed to move the mission of Stroke Awareness Oregn forward.   She served on the Portland Independent Police Review Board and the Bend Metro Planning Organization Budget Committee.  Aryn’s board interests are special events, policy development, and program evaluation.   She is particularly interested in educating communities about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of obtaining rapid medical intervention.

Stroke Awareness Oregon is also pleased to introduce its staff:

Carol Stiles – Interim Executive Director

Joey Drucker – Operations Manager

Kate Eskew – Education Coordinator 

Taylor Drusick – Marketing Coordinator

About Stroke Awareness Oregon:

Stroke Awareness Oregon exists to minimize death and disability from stroke through prevention education and to support the best life possible for stroke warriors and their loved ones.

For more information about Stroke Awareness Oregon contact 541 323-5641 or www.strokeawarenessoregon.org.