''Up to 90% of Stroke Cases Could Be Avoided''

We realized that one of the most effective ways to address the stroke crisis is through education. By informing people about the risk factors and how to reduce them, as well as identifying the symptoms we could potentially save millions of lives. Experts and patients we consulted reinforced this view, with many agreeing that prevention and early detection are key. In fact, when asked where they would invest a million euros, the majority said they would prioritize prevention and detection efforts.

Given the wealth of information we gathered—from understanding the devastating effects of stroke to learning about its prevention and the long-term consequences for survivors—we felt a responsibility to make this knowledge accessible to everyone. However, we knew that making such complex information understandable for a broad audience, including children, would require careful thought. To tackle this, we merged the education and human resources teams, along with the communications department, to create a comprehensive educational plan focused on stroke prevention and awareness.

Action plan: “BREAKING IT SIMPLE”

One of the challenges we faced was ensuring that our educational efforts reached people from all walks of life, each with varying levels of familiarity with strokes and the science behind them. To address this, we developed a multi-targeted engagement strategy, similar to what we use in our Supply Chain work. This strategy involved tailoring educational material to suit different audience segments, ensuring that key information was both digestible and impactful. We broke down complex medical and scientific concepts into three levels of difficulty to make sure we engaged different groups without overwhelming them with technical jargon:

Complete Information: This is where detailed information about our project is located...

Essential information: At this level, we summarize what happens when a person has a stroke...

Basic information: This level is aimed at young children, including primarily a children's book...

Empowering Stakeholders: The Role of Education in Our Strategy

Beyond simply disseminating information, we wanted to empower people—especially those directly affected by stroke—with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. We used educational tools like children’s books and visual materials to help patients, their families, and even children understand the complex nature of stroke and its prevention. Just as we do with patient engagement in the Supply Chain, we emphasized the importance of translating technical information into practical insights that could help shape patient feedback and experience.

Once our educational strategy was clear, it was time to put it into practice. We created various activities and resources to support our efforts, each tailored to a specific audience.

CHILDREN’S BOOK

To teach children about stroke, we recognized that presenting data and statistics alone would not be enough to truly engage their understanding. Instead, we decided to craft a captivating story that serves as a metaphor for the complex processes occurring in the brain during a stroke. This narrative approach not only simplifies the medical concepts but also allows children to relate to the experiences of the characters. By illustrating the challenges faced by the brain in a way that resonates with young minds, we aim to foster empathy and awareness. Through this imaginative story, children can grasp the significance of stroke and its impact, making the learning experience both informative and memorable.

MURAL

Activities often take place in bigger cities, leaving rural areas overlooked. We wanted to avoid that in our project. That’s why we painted a mural during a village festival, where it’s tradition to paint one of the town's walls.

WORKSHOP

Continuing with our goal of developing activities in rural areas, we conducted a workshop in a rural setting as well. The workshop involved a scientific procedure where participants extracted epithelial cells and then transformed them into stem cells using an oven and specific factors. This allowed them to learn about different types of cells and the incredible possibilities that science offers!

By taking this multi-faceted approach to education, we were able to engage a wide audience without overwhelming them. Our goal was to strike a balance between delivering expert knowledge and ensuring that everyone—regardless of background—could benefit from what we had to share. This strategy allowed us to keep patient perspectives at the center, just as we do in our wider project, ensuring that our educational tools aligned with both scientific goals and the real needs of the community.