With tomorrow being Valentine’s Day, it’s no wonder that hearts are popular at the moment. But did you know that February is American Heart Month?
To celebrate and help keep people aware of how to take care of their hearts, the American Heart Association is holding two events in Tacoma this month, the annual Heart Ball gala and Festival for Little Hearts.
The decade of the Model T, Charlie Chaplin and the flapper will take center stage this year when the American Heart Association presents its annual Heart Ball gala, “The Roaring ’20s,” in Tacoma.
This festive and elegant black-tie event raises awareness and funds for the fight against heart disease and stroke.
The money raised helps fund American Heart Association research and community education programs.
Cardiovascular diseases claim about as many lives each year as the next six leading causes of death combined.
About 550 guests from the medical and business communities are expected to take part to support the battle against heart disease, America’s no. 1 killer of women and men, and stroke, the no. 3 killer and leading cause of disability.
In Washington, cardiovascular diseases cause more than a third of all deaths.
Sponsors include Franciscan Health System, MultiCare Health System, Cardiac Study Center and LeMay Enterprises.
Dr. David Peizner, a Tacoma cardiologist, and his wife, Heather, are event co-chairs.
Highlights include a heart-healthy dinner, silent and live auctions, a vintage car display, dancing to live blues music by “Bump Kitchen” and a hosted martini bar.
The dinner program will feature a tribute to the “Heart Ball 2002 First Responder” honorees, including Tacoma Fire Chief Eileen Lewis, Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor and retired Tacoma Police Chief James Hairston.
The event takes place this Saturday, Feb. 16, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., at the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, 1320 Broadway Plaza.
Reservations are required and space is limited. Tickets are $150 per person; patron tickets are $500 per couple. Corporate tables (10 guests each) are $2,500. For more information, contact Kari Anderson at 253/ 272-7854 or kari.anderson@heart.org.
The other event, the Festival for Little Hearts, is set for Saturday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
Festival for Little Hearts is a free educational event for children and their parents that includes fun, interactive, hands-on exhibits, activities and demonstrations emphasizing exercise, nutrition, safety awareness and tobacco resistance.
Activities include lifestyle quizzes, Jump Rope For Heart team demonstrations, aerobics, obstacle course, face painting, ambulance and fire truck tours, bicycle and multi-sport helmet fittings, and more.
For information, call Sherrilee Teter at 253/403-2700.