Boehringer Ingelheim to expand stroke awareness campaign in 2012

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced plans to expand its stroke awareness campaign 1 Million 1 Mission with a new phase this year.

The initiative – which is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim in collaboration with AntiCoagulation Europe, the Atrial Fibrillation Association, the Stroke Alliance for Europe and the World Heart Federation – is set to enter a new phase that will highlight the link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke.

Community-based action will be at the core of this new phase, with 1 Mission 1 Million set to support projects around the world, while offering a platform for patients and carers to share their stories.

It is thought that around three million people worldwide suffer from an AF-related stroke every year.

Trudie Lobban, founder and chief executive officer of the Atrial Fibrillation Association, said: "There will be many ways people can get involved and come together to ensure AF-related stroke prevention is recognised and managed effectively across the world."

This comes in the same week that Boehringer Ingelheim reported positive data from a new safety study of its successful AF therapy Pradaxa.