INDIANAPOLIS — A stroke survivor from Indianapolis is making history around the country for his ability to fundraise $250,000 in just a few weeks for the American Heart Association "Leaders of Impact" campaign. The total was the second-highest amount raised by an individual in the United States, and he was the winner in Indiana. In November of 2023, Nick Schellinger was going about his routine of picking up his twin boys from daycare when he begin to experience numbness on the entire right side of his body. The pain spread and he immediately realized that he needed to get to the hospital. Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke, the nation’s 4th biggest killer “I knew what was happening and was scared,” Schellinger said. “I quickly decided to advocate for myself and insisted to the emergency room desk staff that I was having a stroke. All feeling from head to toe on the right side of my body was gone. A nurse overhead me and asked me to smile. When it was clear I could not smile, I was taken back into the ER immediately, where I received scans and soon after lost the ability to speak.” Schellinger was treated and released one week later with no lasting effects. Stroke Awareness Month The 42-year-old Director of Business Development at Garmong Construction said, “I owe my success story to the fact that I am in construction and have attended countless safety training classes, and I knew what was happening,” Schellinger said. “I knew time was of the essence and I got to a hospital. I demanded to be seen. I knew what to do and advocated for myself. Many in this world do not, and many are not as lucky as I was. I now watch my health more closely and take proper precautions. But my list of action items doesn’t stop there. In fact, I believe my story has just begun.” Smoking cannabis linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke The Leaders of Impact competition launched on Oct. 17 and finished on Dec. 4. “We’re incredibly proud of Nick and all of our nominees' steadfast efforts to help ensure everyone in Central Indiana has equitable opportunities for a longer, healthier life,” said Amanda Mills, executive director of the American Heart Association in Indianapolis. “By ensuring access to quality healthcare and addressing health disparities we are strengthening our collective future, creating a healthier, more vibrant community for generations to come.” To donate to the American Heart Association view here.