CHICAGO, July 15, 2024 — The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announced today that Annie Wang, general counsel at LivCor, would spearhead its Counsel for a Cause Chicago campaign as this year’s event chairperson. The Heart of Chicago team, which leads Counsel for a Cause, also announced long-time supporter, Michael J. Gray, as this year’s Hasbrouck Heart Award recipient.

Chicago’s Counsel for a Cause campaign launched in 2015 to engage the legal community with the American Heart Association’s mission to raise awareness around the No. 1 cause of death in the United States – heart disease. Since its inception, Counsel for a Cause has raised more than $4.8 million in the fight against heart disease. Starting in 2021, Counsel for a Cause set a goal to eradicate uncontrolled high blood pressure and expand CPR awareness. These efforts focused on communities that were disproportionately impacted by high blood pressure and expanding CPR education in schools.

Annie Wang announced as 2024-2025 Counsel for a Cause chairperson
Incoming chair, Annie Wang recently joined the Counsel for a Cause executive leadership team, and this is her first year serving as chair.

“Chicago has a 30-year life expectancy gap — the highest in the United States. It is our responsibility to actively right this wrong, for Chicagoans of all ages and all backgrounds,” said Wang. “By putting CPR units in schools in underprivileged neighborhoods, we are creating equitable opportunities to teach students and educators important heart health information and lifesaving skills. This allows us to exponentially broaden the American Heart Association’s reach and impact to communities that need it the most.”

Michael Gray announced as Hasbrouck Heart Award recipient
Michael Gray, this year’s Hasbrouck Heart honoree and a partner at Jones Day in Chicago, is recognized as one of the country’s leading labor and employment lawyers. Gray has been an enthusiastic champion for the goals of the Counsel for a Cause campaign alongside community initiatives throughout Chicago. Gray is a recent recipient of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center Humanitarian of the Year Award. He was also recently featured in Forbes’ Inaugural list of the 200 Best Lawyers in the United States.

Michael Gray has been part of the Counsel for a Cause campaign since its launch a decade ago, helping the Chicago market raise more than $1 million. Gray also helped Counsel for a Cause expand into New York City in 2020 to further aid underserved communities hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, the Chicago campaign donated 1,000 home blood pressure kits across New York City and Chicago to help people who couldn’t visit their doctors manage their blood pressure. More recently, Gray worked through Counsel for a Cause to raise funds to donate CPR kits to schools in Chicago.

“I am delighted that we’ll be honoring Michael Gray with the Hasbrouck Heart Award this year,” Wang said. “His energy, intensity and dedication toward giving back are inspiring. Through more than 10 years of impassioned service in Chicago and New York City, Mr. Gray has compounded the impact of Counsel for a Cause in two major national and global hubs for nearly every industry, including the legal profession.” 

Counsel for a Cause’s focus on health equity is a critical touchpoint for Gray and he hopes to continue promoting greater citywide health in Chicago.

“Expanding on Gail Hasbrouck’s vision to broaden the impact of Counsel for a Cause has been one of the most meaningful undertakings in my life,” Gray said. “What began as an initiative to address health equity in Chicago has blossomed into a campaign that allows us to use our advocacy skills to ensure our country’s most vulnerable populations have as few barriers as possible to health care and healthy living. Receiving the Hasbrouck Heart Award is an honor and a testament to the hard work of all of our collaborators, past, present and future, to further the Association’s drive to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. I am also grateful to Jones Day for its steadfast and generous support of the American Heart Association.”

The Hasbrouck Heart Award is given to a member of the Chicago legal community who demonstrates exceptional leadership, profound generosity and a passion for improving the lives of others. Previous recipients have been Judge Ann Williams — retired U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S Court of Appeals for the 7th circuit, Nancy Borders — former general counsel of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and a founding member of Counsel for a Cause, Bill Roach — former vice president for legal affairs at RUSH University Medical Center and former chairman of the National Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, and Jill Rappis — senior vice president & general counsel, corporate secretary, at Loyola University Health System.

Counsel for a Cause is part of the Heart of Chicago campaign and will culminate its efforts with its annual event on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Untitled Supper Club in Chicago. For more information about Counsel for a Cause or to get involved, contact Emilie Molidor, associate vice president, Heart of Chicago, at Emilie.Molidor@Heart.org

 

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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.orgFacebookX or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 

For Media Inquiries
Jorie Goins; Jorie.Goins@Heart.org  
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org