HOT SPRINGS, Ark., Feb. 8, 2024 – The year-long Heart of Hot Springs Heart Ball campaign unites supporters with a shared purpose – to raise the critical funds that the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas needs to ensure its work continues in Hot Springs and throughout the region. The 2024 ball, slated for Feb. 10 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, will include an elegant dinner, live and silent auctions and the poignant telling of a heart or stroke survivor’s health struggles and rise through rehabilitation. The ball is co-presented by CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center of Hot Springs.
The 2024 Hot Springs Heart Ball co-chairpersons are interventional cardiologist Dr. Greg St. John from National Park Medical Center and his wife, Mary, along with Dr. Oyidie Igbokidi, also an interventional cardiologist, from CHI St. Vincent, and her husband, Greg Igbokidi.
Something new for the 2024 event: a new award, the Howe–Warren Award for Excellence, named for Dr. Joe Howe, a retired cardiovascular surgeon from CHI St. Vincent and Dr. Edward Taliaferro Warren, a retired cardiothoracic surgery specialist from National Park Medical Center. The two have more than 45 years each in cardiovascular medicine care at their respective hospitals.
“Both have been actively involved in the community and the growth of the cardiac care in Hot Springs,” said Kathy Findley, senior development director at the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas and the director of the Hot Springs Heart Ball. Each will be honored with a video highlighting their careers and a unique gift created for the event by Pine Bluff glass artist James Hayes.
The ball will culminate with the introduction of the 2024 class of Hot Springs Sweethearts and an after-party with longtime Heart Ball favorite — DJ Hollywood.
The Hot Springs Sweetheart Class of 2024 includes 39 sophomore-age girls who will have each completed at least 1,000 hours of education and community volunteerism. From mid-September and leading up to the ball, the Sweethearts toured facilities at both sponsor hospitals and heard from local experts in the fields of heart health, cardiovascular surgery, respiratory therapy, nutrition, dental health, women’s health, emergency medicine and pediatrics.
During one class last fall (Nov. 30), the Sweethearts toured the emergency department at CHI St. Vincent and learned how to perform sutures on a pig’s foot. The girls also became certified in CPR and attended social gatherings including a father-daughter barbecue and mother-daughter brunch.
Funds raised at the Hot Springs Heart Ball will be used to take a nation of bystanders and make them lifesavers. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, and fewer than half of these people receive the immediate help they need before professional help arrives. The American Heart Association wants to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival.
“Through our science, brand, and grassroots footprint, the American Heart Association has the unique capacity and capability to lead with instruction and policy change across all 50 states, including Arkansas,” said Nikki Smith, executive director of the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas.
“People are willing and able to learn CPR,” Smith said. Funds are needed to take CPR education into the classrooms, into community centers, into churches, businesses and any other place people gather.
For 100 years the American Heart Association has saved and improved lives, pioneered scientific discovery and advocated for healthy communities. And for nearly 20 years, the Hot Springs Heart Ball has been raising vital funds to ensure equitable health, fund critical research and support lifesaving work.
To help the American Heart Association celebrate its 100th birthday, guests will enjoy a signature dessert created just for the event, and the Igbokidis’ son, Andrew Igbokidi, will perform. Andrew was formerly a contestant on The Voice.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook or X by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: M 479.263.8473; cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org