October 29, 2021

Dawa Tshering was like any other Bhutanese citizen, working hard and taking care of his family until his 32-year-old wife Rinchen suffered a stroke in 2019. They were at home when his wife complained of a headache and started throwing up. So, they called the astrologer to do a reading—it was only after seven hours that they decided to take her to the hospital where the doctors diagnosed her with a stroke. Dawa and his family were clueless and despite their best efforts, it was already too late by the time they reached the hospital. The first four hours are the most crucial time for stroke patients. Rinchen suffered loss of speech along with sensation in her right hand and therefore, she couldn’t even go to the bathroom by herself or eat. Rinchen continued to struggle completing daily tasks and Dawa felt helpless. 

From that moment on their lives were forever changed. Though healthcare services are free in Bhutan, Dawa realized that many are not aware of the full scope of the financial, social, and economic burdens that come with the disease. What’s more, even fewer people are aware of how common strokes are. 

According to the World Health Organization, 17 million people suffer from strokes each year. It is also the leading cause of disability. However, many cases go untreated and unrecognized due to a lack of awareness, training, and treatment options available. With this in mind, Dawa Tshering established the Bhutan Stroke Foundation in 2020.

Their mission is to strive for a stroke-free Bhutan by creating awareness and supporting stroke survivors and their families. Despite starting the organization in the midst of the global pandemic, the Bhutan Stroke Foundation has already made a great deal of impact. They are working with local groups, supporting families and stroke survivors with counseling and vocational training, and teaching courses on stroke and stroke prevention. The group is well on its way to making a difference in the lives of Bhutanese people. 

That’s why we at the Bhutan Foundation are partnering with the Bhutan Stroke Foundation to support their work. Today, which is globally recognized as World Stroke Day, we’re asking for your support to raise $5,000 to help fund their mission. With your donation, the Bhutan Stroke Foundation will host educational events, carry out counseling sessions for families of stroke survivors, and raise awareness to help prevent strokes in Bhutan. 

Join us to help support the Bhutan Stroke Foundation and make an impact on the lives of survivors and their families today.