Heart Ball Takes on Extra Importance in the Aftermath of Harvey: Free Healthy Lunches for First Responders Just a Start

The impact of Harvey was not lost on the gathering of American Heart Association Guild members assembled at River Oaks Country Club recently for a membership brunch. “In times of stress like these, it’s important to remember to take care of our heart health and brain health,” guild president Leila Gilbert reminded guests.

She also noted that the guild has in recent weeks been providing heart-healthy lunches for first first responders and volunteers. And never far from the guild membership’s heart healthy message — heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined.

In addition to rounding up new members for the guild, the midday gathering served to announce the 2018 ball chairs and honorees. Cathy and Joe Cleary stepped up to the microphone to announced that as chairs of the February 3 Heart Ball they had secured the ever-popular Party on the Moon to perform.

They also announced that Brenda and Marc Watts have been named community honorees, Dr. Robert Phillips as the Medical Honoree and Schlumberger as the Corporate Honoree. The evening at the Hilton Americas-Houston will also honor past Heart Ball chairs and former AHA Guild presidents.

Who: Guild membership chair Liz Jameson, Harriet Hart, Franelle Rogers, Dr. Roland Maldonado, Patti Murphy, Roz Pactor, Susan Hansen, Beth Wolff, Ilene Allen, Elaine Finger, Anna Holiday, Julie Grayum, Lacey and Matthew Goossen, Bettina Wright, Lu Caltagirone, and Mary Dee Neal.