The American Heart Association’s annual event rallies support for the fight against heart disease and stroke
Community leaders, volunteers and survivors gathered for an evening of inspiration and purpose at the American Heart Association’s Los Angeles Heart Ball, held March 28 at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena. The event raised more than $1.7 million to advance the fight against the nation’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease.
The Los Angeles Heart Ball marks the culmination of the year‑round Heart of LA campaign, which engages companies, civic leaders and individuals in the American Heart Association’s four pillars of work: Discovery, Advocacy, Access and Knowledge. Funds raised support the Association’s mission to build a world of longer, healthier lives by advancing lifesaving research, expanding CPR education and improving the quality of care for people with heart disease and stroke.
The evening opened with a stirring piano performance by Grammy-winning producer Brian Kennedy, a Heart Association volunteer and advocate.
Throughout the night, guests heard powerful stories of survivorship, resilience and impact, highlighting how volunteers, donors and advocates are helping drive progress. One of the most moving moments came from 8‑year‑old Olivia, who has spent her young life overcoming extraordinary challenges, including a congenital heart defect, stroke and heart transplant.
“Recovery was hard. My daughter had to relearn how to walk, talk and eat. And she did it. She’s living proof of resilience, hope and the power of research,” said Olivia’s mom, Tamika LeBlanc. “The American Heart Association has been part of stories like Olivia’s for generations. Their research and advocacy opened doors to treatments my daughter would never have had otherwise. Without those advances, I don’t know if Olivia would be here today.”
The Association also presented Ed Romano, retired vice chairman of Warner Bros., with the Second Century Impact Award, recognizing his years of volunteer leadership and unwavering support of the Association’s mission to improve health and bring hope to communities everywhere.
In his acceptance remarks, Romano reflected on losing both his father and daughter to heart disease, experiences that have fueled his passion for the cause.
“As Heart Association LA board chairman, I’ve seen researchers who amaze me and advances that would have been unimaginable when my father got sick,” said Romano. “I’ve also seen hope take root where it once felt out of reach. Tonight is about helping to make sure the next generation inherits a better world where every person has the chance to live a full, healthy life.”
Since the American Heart Association’s founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been cut in half. However, the Association predicts more than 6 in 10 people in the U.S. are likely to have some type of cardiovascular disease by 2050, underscoring the urgency of the Association’s lifesaving work.
The American Heart Association is the world’s leading nonprofit organization that focuses on heart and brain health. For more information on how to support the American Heart Association visit heart.org/SouthernCalifornia.
