Heart Ball 2011: ‘Heart is All You Need’

A delicious dinner and a fun evening of dancing make this year’s Heart Ball 2011the perfect celebration of sharing and caring. Heart Ball chair, Richard J. Rizzo, Vice Chairman of Perini Building company, opened the dinner portion of the evening by thanking the audience for the generosity and support of the Las Vegas American Heart Association.

“We are here tonight to celebrate their success in the lifesaving efforts that take place here in Southern Nevada everyday in part because of their efforts,” says Rizzo. “All of you in this room are the very pillars upon which our community stands and I am truly grateful you have chosen to support an organization so very dear to my heart.”

The Mirage Hotel and Casino was the setting for the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Heart Association’s major fundraiser of the year. Hosted by News 3 anchors Kim and Dana Wagner the purpose of the evening was to recognize donors, volunteers and individuals impacted by heart disease.

Wearing a pink dress and a flowered head-band, special guest ten-month old Lola Blanche Worthen enjoyed the evening celebration along with her mother Lindsey Worthen, who delivered an inspirational story about Lola’s journey and eventual triumph over her battle with a congenital heart defect. Several surgeries later, Lola is a bright-eyed, happy little girl.

An emotional Lindsey Worthen talked about what it meant to have the support of the American Heart Association. “One thing I do know is that the American Heart Association played an important role in the research that helped repair Lola’s heart,” says Worthen.

Auctioneer, Christian Kolberg lead the live auction for the evening helping to raise funds for the evening.  The silent auction featured more than 50 items and baskets from David Yurman, Harley Davidson, Judith Leiber, Red Rock Casino Resort, and Tommy Bahama to name a few.

This event celebrated the countless lives that have been saved and improved by the efforts of those involved with the American Heart Association. The proceeds raised from the Las Vegas Heart Ball will go towards the organizations mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

For more information about the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Heart Association Call (702) 367-1366 or visit them on the web at www.heart.org.