Dr. Alvin McElveen is a neurologist in the Bradenton-Sarasota area in Florida. He recently joined the National Stroke Association ING NYC Marathon 2012 Team.

McElveen said not only did he look forward to experiencing the support of thousands of spectators as he rode 42 miles from Staten Island to Queens, through Brooklyn and the Bronx, finishing in Manhattan’s famous Central Park, but that he was doing it for a very important reason….to make a difference in the world of stroke by building awareness and raising funds to help those affected by stroke.

“It was a great feeling to participate in this Marathon,” he said. “Even at the end of the race, I felt that I could have gone five to 10 more miles!”

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and can strike at any moment and without warning. Nearly 795,000 Americans will experience a stroke in 2012. At least one in four (25-35 percent) of people who have a stroke each year will have another stroke within their lifetime.

McElveen is married to the former Carolyn Brown from Winnsboro. He is also a brother-in-law to Mary Lynn Kinley of Winnsboro and Dr. Jerry Brown of Batesburg-Leesville.