Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007 - The 11th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Gala

Here on the East End, summer weekends are synonymous with fundraisers and benefits, but there are few as elegant and distinguished as the annual Heart of the Hamptons Gala. Now in its 11th year, this lavish affair, hosted by The American Heart Association, will be held on July 7 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton.

The evening will begin with a VIP reception followed by a cocktail hour, live and silent auctions and dinner by Serena Bass. The entertainment will include live music by Soul System Orchestras, double-dutch jump ropers, gymnasts and ballroom dancers. Guests will receive gift bags provided by Saks Fifth Avenue. The honorees are Dr. Wayne Isom, Professor and Chairman of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hostpital, Peter G. Peterson, Sr. Chairman of The Blackstone Group and Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of Sesame Workshop and originator of Sesame Street.

This year, the gala will focus on children's health initiatives, as childhood obesity is one of our nation's leading health threats. Because of this growing epidemic, children are now more susceptible to diseases that used to be mostly associated with adults, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association is working towards providing our children with opportunities for a healthier lifestyle by supporting education, research and advocacy for policies that affect where they live, earn and play.

The American Heart Association is dedicated to "building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke." The AHA was founded in 1924, at a time when patients with heart disease were considered untreatable due to a significant lack of information. The founding members, a group of six cardiologists from all over the country, recognized the great need for a national organization to conduct research and study further on this sickness. The early years of the AHA consisted mostly of efforts to overcome the ignorance that surrounded heart disease by enlisting the help of thousands of physicians and scientists to educate the public.

The AHA grew considerably in the next few decades with the expansion of their activities to the general public and generous donations from institutions such as the American Legion. This increased public support and funding allowed the AHA to develop programs for specific diseases and by 1948 the foundation took a serious approach to their internal business structure by bringing in non-medical volunteers with skills in management, communication, public education, community organization and fund raising. In the same year, the AHA received $1.75 million in contributions through a network radio contest.

Since then, the AHA has become a major influence nationally and internationally, with a rapid growth in size, financial resources and involvement with medical and non-medical volunteers. Over the years, the foundation has become a strong, visible voice and has developed guidelines for the US healthcare system. The AHA's internal programs and management have also continued to grow, as the foundation began focusing their planning on cardiovascular science, cardiovascular education and community programs and fundraising efforts, while achieving stricter research standards, new healthcare site modules and developing cookbooks. The AHA has taken positions on important public health issues and has made great strides in understanding the effects of heart disease on women, minorities and children, while creating new divisions dealing specifically with stroke and emergency cardiac care.

Currently, the AHA is a driving force to "provide credible heart disease and stroke information for effective prevention and treatment." In 2006, the corporation made significant research advances including high-dose Atorvastatin, which is a drug given to stroke victims that will reduce the risk of having a second stroke by sixteen percent. There were also major advancements in tissue engineering by successfully using a rabbit's cells to grow heart-valve-shaped tissue inside the animal's body. Additionally, new criteria was developed that considers age and gender to identify teens that may be at risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, and the AHA is making advancements in ventricular assist devices, which may now be an option for children awaiting transplants. It is truly the volunteers, donors and supporters of benefits such as the Heart of the Hamptons Gala that allow the American Heart Association to succeed and grow each year. Heart of the Hamptons Gala tickets cost $450. For more information call American Heart Association Director Barbara Poliwoda at (631) 734-2804 or (516) 777-8447.

Presenting Sponsors: Mr. Peter G. Peterson, Mrs. Joan Ganz Cooney
Platinum Sponsors: The Gerald J. Ford Foundation, New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, Mr. Harvey Ross & Mrs. Kathleen Histon Ross and Sabin Metal Corporation
Gold Sponsor: Park Avenue Mortgage Group.

Contributing Sponsors: Aegis Capital Corp., Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Curatola, Dan's Papers, East End Cardiology, Eastern Suffolk Cardiology, Hamptons.com, Hamptons/Gotham Magazine, Homefront Organization, Ketel One Vodka, Long Island Pulse Magazine, Martha Clara Vineyards, Peconic Bay Winery, Water Mill Party, Wolffer Estate Vineyards and Zabi's Wines & Liquors