The Chicago Heart Ball

By Smita Shah, Chicago IL

Smita Shah serves her community as an entrepreneur and a specialist in civil engineering. Residing in Chicago, IL, Smita Shah affiliates with several charitable organizations including After School Matters and the American Heart Association.

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association (AHA) stands as the oldest and largest volunteer-based organization devoted to battling stroke and heart disease in the United States. To that end, the AHA provides educational materials to the general public and hosts gala events such as the Chicago Heart Ball.

An annual occasion, the Chicago Heart Ball began in 1982 and since that time has raised more than $16 million to help Americans lead healthier lives free of strokes and heart disease. The 33rd Chicago Heart Ball took place on April 11, 2015, at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom. Festivities began at 6:00 p.m. Guests enjoyed cocktails and a silent auction.

Later on, guests of the 33rd annual Chicago Heart Ball sat down to dinner and participated in a live auction featuring athletes from the Chicago Blackhawks team. The event included a special program related to the AHA's cause of preventing strokes and cardiovascular disease. Sponsors of the event included Walgreens, Discovery USA, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, among others.