Heart Ball raises funds and recognizes survivor

Staff report

WARREN

The American Heart Association recently hosted its 2019 Tri-County Red Party Heart Ball at the Avalon Inn & Resort in Warren. The event takes place to celebrate survivors and the life-saving achievements of local physicians, philanthropists and volunteers committed to helping the association fulfill the national goal to improve cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent and to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by 2020. Proceeds of $140,000 from the event will assist in fighting heart disease and stroke in the local community.

David Dastoli, president of Farmers Trust Co. and chairman of the event, stated, “Our community alone loses 2,200 lives every year to heart disease and stroke.”

Jermaine Smith Jr. , 4, was recognized during an Open Your Heart Moment, as a heart disease survivor. His parents, Jermaine Smith Sr. and Monissa Redmond, shared the story of their 4-year-old, his diagnosis of congenital heart disease and his three open-heart surgeries.

Derek Steyer of 21 WFMJ-TV was the emcee for the evening.

For information about the AHA, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721); visit heart.org; call any offices around the country; or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.