History of the Heart Ball
The Late
Mrs. Barry Goldwater
"Peggy"
The Heart Ball enjoys an exceptional reputation. The first Heart Ball, in 1959, was chaired by Mrs. Barry Goldwater, and established the Heart Ball as the oldest and most prestigious event of the social season in Phoenix. Held in November of each year, this event kicks off the social season. Membership on the Heart Ball Committee, by invitation only, has always been composed of outstanding business women, philanthropists and community leaders from around the Valley. Consistently one of the top five Heart Balls in the nation benefiting the American Heart Association, the Phoenix Heart Ball raises funds that are awarded to community education and research programs. Over the past 52 years, more than $27 million has been given back to the community.
In 1959 when the Heart Ball was introduced to the community, research for pacemakers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and bypass surgery was just getting underway. Many of the lifesaving programs we take for granted have been developed thanks to funds raised by the Heart Ball. Today, we are engaged in many educational and preventative programs in the community designed to educate children on nutrition and exercise, and teach adults about risk factors, cholesterol reduction and how to recognize the signs of heart attack and stroke.
In 2010, the Heart Ball accomplished another milestone in the Phoenix community with the completion of the newly renovated Halle Heart Children's Museum. This state-of-the-art, hands-on, interactive museum is the only one of its kind in the country. Each year, 30,000 school age children from the Valley will attend this museum free of charge with their classrooms. The state-approved curriculum focuses on nutrition, anti-smoking messages, exercise, and recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and heart attack. A sampling of the exhibits and learning opportunities in the Museum include the 911 Action Theater which teaches children how to properly respond in an emergency and the Marketplace which teaches students how to read food labels and shop for nutritious foods. The museum was a result of the partnership of the Heart Ball and the American Heart Association. It will be a treasured gift to the community for many years to come.
Our Mission: Building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Our Goal: By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing the deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20%.
In 1959 when the Heart Ball was introduced to the community, research for pacemakers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and bypass surgery was just getting underway. Many of the lifesaving programs we take for granted have been developed thanks to funds raised by the Heart Ball. Today, we are engaged in many educational and preventative programs in the community designed to educate children on nutrition and exercise, and teach adults about risk factors, cholesterol reduction and how to recognize the signs of heart attack and stroke.
In 2010, the Heart Ball accomplished another milestone in the Phoenix community with the completion of the newly renovated Halle Heart Children's Museum. This state-of-the-art, hands-on, interactive museum is the only one of its kind in the country. Each year, 30,000 school age children from the Valley will attend this museum free of charge with their classrooms. The state-approved curriculum focuses on nutrition, anti-smoking messages, exercise, and recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and heart attack. A sampling of the exhibits and learning opportunities in the Museum include the 911 Action Theater which teaches children how to properly respond in an emergency and the Marketplace which teaches students how to read food labels and shop for nutritious foods. The museum was a result of the partnership of the Heart Ball and the American Heart Association. It will be a treasured gift to the community for many years to come.
Our Mission: Building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Our Goal: By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing the deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20%.