Tri-County Heart Ball planned Feb. 28 at Stambaugh Auditorium

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The American Heart Association has named four local individuals who exemplify the mission of the American Heart Association — to build lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke — to be recognized for their achievements at the 2015 Tri-County Heart Ball.

The recipients are Norma J. Watson, 2015 Heart of the Community Award, and Drs. Jeffrey Fulton, Mita Raheja and R. Peter Vande Kappelle, 2015 Cardiac Service Award recipients.

They will be honored during the Heart Ball on Feb. 28 at Stambaugh Auditorium.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to honor these individuals for the role they play in improving cardiovascular health here in the Valley,” said James H. Sisek, Heart Ball co-chairman.

“As a member of this community, I am proud that we have such talent and generosity here in our backyard,” added Florence Wang, Heart Ball co-chairwoman.

“Each year, we aim to ignite a passion for cardiovascular health in our community,” said Charlotte Diss, executive metro director of the Tri-County American Heart Association. “One of my favorite ways of helping achieve this goal is through work with our local Heart Child, selected annually and introduced at the Heart Ball. This year, we are excited to introduce Rebekah Plant, our 2015 Heart Child, and her family.”

Rebekah, a resident of Mineral Ridge, was born with both a ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect, or holes in the top and bottom of her heart. At almost 4 months old, Rebekah underwent open-heart surgery to repair her heart defects. Through advancements in research and medical care, today she is a happy, active 3 year-old who loves playing with her younger brother, Samuel. The Plant family, including father Christopher and mother Sarah, will be on hand at the Heart Ball to share more of their story.

In addition to the honoree ceremony and Open Your Heart Special appeal for pediatric cardiac research, guests will enjoy a dinner, live entertainment by John Reese and Backbeat, silent and live auctions. As the highlight of the live auction, the Strand of Hope pearl necklace, designed by Thom Duma Fine Jewelers to represent those have battled heart disease and stroke, will be auctioned.

The 2015 Tri-County Heart Ball is sponsored by Signature sponsor Mercy Health (formerly known as Humility of Mary Health Partners).

The event’s Ready, Set, Ignite sponsors are Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Austintown and Grove City; Bob and Chuck Eddy Cadillac Chevrolet Buick, Grove City; Bob and Chuck Eddy Alfa-Romeo FIAT. The Open Your Heart sponsor is ValleyCare Health System of Ohio, and the Premier sponsors are Frank and Norma Watson and The Regina M. Rebhan Family Foundation. Gold Patrons include Akron Children’s Hospital of Mahoning Valley, Donald P. Pipino Company, Ltd., Farmers Trust Company/Farmers National Bank Greenwood Chevrolet, Home Savings Charitable Foundation, Jane F. Lamb Foundation, Jeanne D. Tyler, John MacIntosh, VEC, Inc., Vincent and Phyllis Bacon, William M. Neckerman Foundation, and Youngstown State Foundation. The media sponsors are 21 WFMJ-TV and WBCB.

For sponsorship opportunities, event information and reservations, contact Charlotte Diss at charlotte.diss@heart.org or 330-318-1003. Visit youngstownheartball.heart.org.