Carlton man Adrian O'Malley is among the finalists for the 2021 national Stroke Awards.
The Stroke Awards is an initiative of the Stroke Foundation to recognise survivors, carers, healthcare workers and volunteers who every day go above and beyond to make life better for Australians impacted by stroke.
Mr O'Malley began his relationship with Stroke Foundation a year after his stroke in 2007, raising funds and awareness with a hike of the Overland Track in Tasmania.
At the time he still had balance issues and kept falling over, but this did not deter him.
Since then, Mr O'Malley has worked tirelessly, volunteering his time, and sharing his knowledge and experience, in order to promote efforts to prevent and treat stroke, and enhance recovery.
Mr O'Malley has demonstrated leadership as a health consumer over many years, through his extensive involvement and representation in organisations at the local, state and national level.
"I have to acknowledge that, while I will never be grateful for my stroke, stroke has brought out the best in me and my desire to help one person has taken me places and involved me in things I would never have imagined," Mr O'Malley said.
Mr O'Malley is a media spokesperson, advocates for stroke during state and federal election campaigns, contributes to the development of policy submissions to government and speaks about the stroke patient experience.
He is also a founding member of the Stroke Foundation Consumer Council and is currently a member of the Stroke Foundation Young Stroke Project Lived Experience Working Group and Steering Committee.
Stroke Foundation Executive Director Stroke Services Lisa Murphy congratulated the inspirational finalists.
"I am blown away by the calibre of the nominees for the Stroke Awards," Dr Murphy said.
"Each effort is incredibly powerful and goes a long way to helping the Stroke Foundation in its mission to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery."
There are almost 450,000 people living with stroke in Australia.
Mr O'Malley is a finalist in the President's Award category.
The winners will be announced virtually on Wednesday, May 5. For more information visit strokefoundation.org.au
