The American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Ball is a fundraising event that supports the AHA's mission to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; and to improve access to healthy food and healthcare. My WHY? Because my older sister, Kathleen suffered a stroke in 2010; and my best friend, Nancy unfortunately loss her first-born son to a congenital heart defect. The Heart Ball also funds critical heart research, and helps to greatly support under-resourced communities.