First Coast Heart Ball raises nearly $300,000, most funds ever raised

First Coast Heart Ball raises nearly $300,000, most funds ever raised
Tee Ambrose with Donna Schneider, Tawnjai and Ben Grospe

The American Heart Association’s 2022 First Coast Heart Ball held on April 2 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa raised $290,288 to support live-saving research, education and raising awareness for cardiovascular diseases and stroke, America’s number one and number five killers. More than 400 guests and 64 corporate businesses supported the event.

Guests sipped champagne and mingled before the program emceed by J.P. Shadrick, the voice of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shadrick also recognized Life is Why sponsors Florida Blue and Baptist Health, for their support of AHA.

Amber Wilson, American Heart Association First Coast market executive director, shared the mission of the AHA. Chuck Divita, executive vice president, Commercial Markets, Florida Blue Guidewell, and Michel Divita, co-chairs of the event, introduced Open Your Heart honoree Eric Salter and his family.

Eric Salter and his wife, Madelen, who live in Ponte Vedra, spoke of their experience after the featured video played. Salter, an avid runner who focused on fitness, suffered from life-threatening aortic dissection on his 11-year-old daughter’s birthday. He underwent 18 hours of surgery to receive an artificial heart valve and spent months in rehabilitation.

Attendees offered a standing ovation in appreciation of the Salter family. During the last paddle standing auction, a Florida Keys trip was donated to the family.

The program was followed by a live auction featuring packages such as trips to Montana, Jacksonville Jaguar extravaganza ticket packages, a Kentucky bourbon tour and a private Ocean Reef Club trip in Key Largo, Florida.

The entire 2022 fundraising campaign raised $1.6 million, making the campaign the most successful to date for the American Heart Association on the First Coast.

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