Heart of Rochester campaign zeroes in to improve community’s heart health

The American Heart Association is going “beyond the table” to further the commitment of the annual Rochester Heart Ball. Instead of a single event, the Heart of Rochester campaign will extend to a three-month campaign bringing the work of the American Heart Association to life in our community.

“We usually come together each year for a beautiful Heart Ball. Now, because of the COVID pandemic, our community needs us to step up in an even larger way,” said American Heart Association Executive Director Marc Natale. “Our vision for Heart of Rochester is to expand the mission of the traditional Heart Ball. Instead of just one night, we want to highlight the work the American Heart Association does all year-round with a focus on our five lifesaving pillars.”

The five pillars of the American Heart Association’s work include COVID-19 research and response, women’s health, patients and chronic conditions, healthy living, and ending tobacco use and vaping.

Throughout the three-month campaign, participants will have opportunities to learn more about the work being done locally in each of those pillars, as well as various ways to give to the campaign both corporately and individually.

Heart of Rochester officially launches on December 1st for Giving Tuesday and runs through the February 28th, the end of American Heart Month. Plans for a celebration event will depend on American Heart Association, state and federal guidelines at the time.

Those interested in making a pledge should text HEARTROC to 71777, or visit the Heart of Rochester web page. Anyone interested in joining the campaign or donating corporately should contact Marc.Natale@heart.org.

The American Heart Association works in Rochester and the surrounding communities to help improve health outcomes for all people. That includes work impacting health equity and social determinants that can impact health outcomes. The American Heart Association is committed to serving as a catalyst, convener and collaborator toward fighting structural racism within the realm of cardiovascular science, medicine and health care.

The Heart of Rochester campaign is led by the Executive Leadership Team. The American Heart Association thanks the following volunteers for their work:

  • John Dineen, Postler & Jaeckle Corp.
  • Dan Duprey, CPL
  • Maiya Greenfield, Greenfield Flooring
  • Matt Greenfield, Greenfield Flooring
  • John LeFrois, LeFrois Buildings & Developers
  • Todd Liebert, CPL
  • John McKenna, Tompkins Bank of Castile
  • Tom O’Gara, LeChase Construction

The Heart of Rochester campaign is locally sponsored by CPL, Constellation Brands, UR Medicine, Rochester Regional Health, Postler & Jaeckle Corp., LeFrois Builders & Developers, Greenfield Flooring, Tompkins Bank of Castile, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Consilliarium Group, and Rochester Institute of Technology.