TREE of LIFE
Heart Ball Stands Strong for Heart Health
Compiled By INSITE STAFF
FROM LEFT: LINA LAWSON, DONNA ADAM, JOSE CARRERA, TINA GANDY
O
n Saturday, February 27,
hundreds will gather to
celebrate another year of saving
lives and healing hearts at the
American Heart Association
Brazos County Heart Ball.
The theme of this year’s
annual black-tie affair, “Tree
of Life,” was inspired by
the majestic Live Oak trees
surrounding the grounds of the
Miramont Country Club where
the Heart Ball is held. However,
“Tree of Life” also speaks to the
mission of the American Heart
Association and the community
here in the Brazos Valley.
The AHA’s mission of
building healthier lives, free
of cardiovascular diseases
and stroke is based upon the
organization’s strong roots
to research, education, and
outreach that have led to
extraordinary advances in
cardiovascular health and a
decline in heart-related deaths
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INSITE FEBRUARY 2016
for the past 50 years. These
successes, and the continuous
need for further education to
prevent heart disease, are made
possible thanks in large part to
the generosity and leadership
of the Brazos Valley family.
Throughout the past 21 years,
the Brazos County Heart Ball
has contributed an incredible
amount to fighting heart disease
and stroke.
The Heart Ball attracts
hundreds of local philanthropicminded folks from the business
and medical sectors, many
who participate year after
year. The co-chairwomen of
the 2016 event, twin sisters
Lina Lawson and Tina Gandy,
are leading the fundraising
initiative for the second year in
a row. The presenting sponsor,
Baylor Scott & White Medical
Center, has been a bedrock of
support for the association’s
lifesaving mission. Well-known
locals to Bryan/College Station
demonstrate that roots run deep
in the Heart of Texas: long-time
patroness Donna Adam; Mike
Wright, the general manager of
KBTX-TV Channel 3 will serve as
emcee; and Wayne Wheat will
serve as auctioneer.
The “Tree of Life” branches
out in a few new directions for
this year’s event, beginning with
a VIP Cocktail Hour before the
gala dinner where guests can
mingle and enjoy entertainment
from The Argyles. The limited
and exclusive live auction –
which features trips to Carmel
and Mexico, golf packages,
and shopping sprees– will be
complemented by an upscale
silent auction. The silent auction
includes cosmetic spa packages,
dinners, jewelry, and more.
Guests can expect a sumptuous
dinner, an evening of fun and
entertainment, and, finally, the
chance to dance the night away
to a live band.
Last year, AHA funded more
than $1.01 million in heart
disease and stroke research
in the B/CS area including
eight projects at Texas A&M
University and TAMU Health
Science Center. Unfortunately,
more than $430,000 in
meritorious research went
unfunded. Closing the funding
gap is critical to advancing the
AHA’s lifesaving mission by
supporting innovative research
and technology. This year, the
Brazos Country Heart Ball aims
to raise $300,000, to sow the
seeds for the next generation of
cardiovascular health.
For more information on
“Tree of Life” Brazos County
Heart Ball, contact Brittany.
[email protected] or
visit brazoscountyheartball.
heart.org or facebook.com/
ahaheartoftexas.i