Heart & Stroke Ball Raises Nearly $800K for Heart Disease, Stroke Research

More than 750 people joined the American Heart Association (www.heart.org/HEARTORG) at the annual Omaha Heart & Stroke Ball on February 3. Presented locally by CQuence Health Group, the Cassling Family Foundation and Mutual of Omaha with media sponsor KMTV 3 News Now, the event raised nearly $800,000 this year to date for the American Heart Association, an organization that invested $1.7 million in 10 new and continuing research studies last year in Nebraska.

The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the 2018 Heart Prince, Abel Falcon Protiva. Born in 2017 with a congenital heart defect, Abel received a heart transplant at 4 months old and celebrated his first birthday in January.

New to this year’s event was “Bring a Ball to the Ball.” In conjunction with a three-year sponsorship with CQuence Health Group and the Cassling Family Foundation, guests were invited to bring a sports ball to the event. More than 400 balls and educational material were then donated to Omaha’s Completely Kids. The community will also be encouraged to bring sports balls to Omaha Heart Walk in May and Omaha Go Red for Women in September.

The evening also included a Patron Party, silent and live auction, and Sweetheart presentation. Jennifer Griswold, lead anchor with KMTV 3 News Now, emceed the Omaha Heart & Stroke Ball and Patron Party.