In the summer of 2011, a University of Florida professor collapsed while waiting in line for food at the Reitz Union. He was suffering from a heart attack.
Fortunately, two nearby students performed CPR as they waited for officers from the UF Police Department to arrive with a defibrillator. This emergency procedure kept the professor alive long enough for emergency personnel to arrive and transport him to the emergency room at Shands, where doctors performed procedures that subsequently saved his life.
The collective group who helped the professor — the students, police officers, emergency personnel and doctors — all contributed to the treatment of this individual and played critical roles in his care. They each used a simple, yet life-saving act—more specifically, procedures instructed to millions annually by the American Heart Association.
Through heart-related education and research, the American Heart Association tackles a disease that, in 2012, killed one American every 40 seconds.
To help support the association’s mission, by raising funds for education and research, the Gainesville chapter of the American Heart Association will hold its 27th annual Heart Ball from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Hilton UF Conference Center on Southwest 34th street.
Sandra Thompson, who is co-chairing the event with her husband Bruce, said the Heart Ball is a fundraiser to help build awareness for heart disease and stroke, as well as raise money for heart research.
Kelley Frohlich, the regional director of the Alachua County American Heart Association, said the Heart Ball is special because the majority of money that is raised goes back into the Gainesville community through research at UF and Shands—the signature sponsor for the event.
Edward Jimenez, the Heart Ball’s representative sponsor from UF and Shands and the upcoming chair for the 2014 Heart Ball, said funds donated to the American Heart Association go to benefit the community through heart education and heart-related research. The funds also go toward installing heart defibrillators in public places such as stadiums.
Shands values contributions from the American Heart Association, Jimenez said. The funds from events like the Heart Ball support research at Shands that has benefited heart patients on a national level.
Dr. David Burchfield’s research has been supported by funds from the Heart Ball. Jimenez said that Burchfield’s work in the neonatal care unit at Shands, funded by a grant from the American Heart Association, led to the standard way doctors all over the country take care of infants in neonatal care units when a baby’s heart stops beating.
“It’s a natural relationship, given what we do at UF and Shands,” Jimenez said.
Aside from heart research, the Heart Ball and other related American Heart Association events, helped fund educational efforts related to helping those with heart troubles. This includes informing the public of the proper way to do CPR.
The Heart Ball also honors local doctors who have done notable work in the field of cardiology. Dr. David Anderson will be honored at this year’s event.
Anderson, an interventional cardiologist, was part of a team that saved the UF professor who had a heart attack while on campus. His work, along with the work of the students who knew CPR and the police officers and emergency personnel who had defibrillators, helped to save a life.
To support research and education like this, proceeds from the Heart Ball are raised through sponsorships and table purchases, in addition to the live and silent auctions and a special appeal called “Open your Heart.” Individual tickets may be available for purchase closer to the event.
Approximately 400 people are expected to attend this year’s event, Thompson said, which is a dramatic increase from previous years. The substantial growth is part of the reason the format of the Heart Ball has changed; this year, the event is themed “Tuxes and Tennis Shoes.” Guests are encouraged to wear tennis shoes and formal wear—a theme that also will inspire attendees to walk and move around. There will also be entertainment and dancing.
A format utilizing food stations will make for a more casual dining experience. Dessert, on the other hand, will be served traditionally when the evening’s speeches are delivered.
Thompson said the arrangement for this year’s event is partly to encourage guests to be more active and to promote a healthy lifestyle. She said she believes that a livelier event will create an atmosphere that will be fun and entertaining, and will help the Heart Ball continue to grow in popularity across Gainesville as a charitable event people always want to attend.
Bruce Thompson, co-chair, explained the Open-Your-Heart portion of the Heart Ball as an opportunity for individuals across Alachua county to contribute to the organization with a cash contribution, whether they can attend the event or not.
“Gainesville is blessed with two hospitals that provide a focus on treatment of cardiovascular disease,” he said. “Based on the funds that Gainesville doctors and academics receive from the Heart Association through grants for their research, Gainesville actually receives more money locally from the American Heart Association than it collects and contributes. Through attendance at the event, and through the Open-Your-Heart contribution program, it is my hope that we can reduce that difference and show the national office of the Heart Association we appreciate what they do for our researchers.
“Everyone has been touched in some way by this devastating disease”, he concluded. “I would encourage everyone in our community to get involved in supporting this terrific organization, which in turn supports us all.”