As someone who has made the AHA’s annual Heart Ball a regular calendar entry for myself, I could not resist it this year either. However, as so many events have transitioned this past year, the Heart Ball which was reimagined as AHA’s first virtual gala, Heart of Houston, was viewed by me in my own home. Just days before temps dropped in Houston, the American Heart Association (AHA) hosted The Heart of Houston. Making it extra special this year, the Heart Ball was pivoted into a year-round campaign with a goal to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
So, as so many things that were sidelined last week due to our city’s unusual paralyzing temperatures, I wanted to share now the amazing efforts and awesome results of this annual Heart event with you before February, aka National Heart Month, comes to a close. Bringing awareness to heart health has never been more important as people with poor cardiovascular health are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
On Thursday, February 11th, Jerry and Lisa Simon, this year’s Event Chairs, led the Heart of Houston virtual gala as it took its philanthropic efforts beyond the ballroom to connect hearts across the city, raising $1.5 million to fund its research and education programs that will improve health and well-being of our neighbors and ultimately save lives from heart disease and stroke. Hundreds of community members, medical professionals and corporate leaders joined the live virtual event from living rooms all over Houston to support and celebrate the heart-healthy organization’s mission.
Every year, AHA celebrates survivors that inspire the next big life-saving motivations. This year, the organization was honored to recognize Mr. Rodolfo Sandoval, who is a heart survivor, purple heart recipient, Vietnam veteran and loving grandfather to his five granddaughters. The program continued as they looked back on the past year of accomplishments, celebrated years of heart and stroke advancements and honored local philanthropists, including this year’s Honorees, the Allen Family, Kathleen, Shirley and Skip Allen
While some dressed up in gowns and tuxes and others cozied up in their loungewear, attendees enjoyed artisanal charcuterie boxes and crudités from A Fare Extraordinaire that were delivered to their doors, as emcee and Fox 26 anchor, Melissa Wilson, kicked off the digital experience. Virtual party-goers had the exclusive opportunity to watch world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform. Fitting the Heart of Houston theme, Yo-Yo Ma delivered a message of hope with his performance of Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts”. Guests had the chance to bid on luxury silent and live auction items, such as a weekend getaway with private jet, luxury tasting experiences at Ouzo and Bludorn Restaurant, a week’s escape to Destin, Florida, as well as a case of 100-point wines and other delectable finds in the wine auction.
In the crowd, viewing virtually from homes around the city were: Roslyn Bazzelle and Derrick Mitchell, Judy and Russ Labrasca, April and Dr. Jorge Salazar, Yo-Yo Ma, Rachel and Tim Dash, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Beverly and Jim Postl and Debbie and Jack Moore.
Russ and Judy Labrasca
The American Heart Association (AHA) is devoted to saving people from heart diseases and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. AHA teams with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. To learn more or to get involved, call 1.800.AHA.USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
photos courtesy of Fulton Davenport, PWL STUDIOS