On April 5, 2025, more than 400 attendees came together for the event of the season—the 2025 Boston Heart and Stroke Ball—held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
Hosted by Nicole Estephan of Channel 5, the event featured auctioneer Harry Santa-Ollala and raised over $1 million to support the American Heart Association’s efforts to fight heart disease and stroke.
Inspiring stories were also highlighted, including Shira Georgiou, whose incredible journey can be watched here. When Shira suffered a cardiac arrest, quick action by her husband to call 911 and begin CPR activated her chain of survival.
The vast reach of the American Heart Association was divided into four chambers—EQUITY, KNOWLEDGE, DISCOVERY and ADVOCACY—and four members of the Boston community were recognized:
EQUITY: Leslie Stafford, health equity and wellness manager at Madison Park Development Corporation, works to break down barriers to care in Roxbury where chronic illnesses like heart disease are far too common. Through her work with the American Heart Association, Leslie has helped bring hands-only CPR training and an AED to a Roxbury arts center, launched a mobile blood pressure screening program, and created a Teaching Garden that gives local families access to fresh, healthy foods.
KNOWLEDGE: Dr. Kemar Brown is a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and also a scientist, educator and a dedicated advocate for heart health. His research explores how genetics influence heart disease, helping doctors better predict and treat cardiovascular conditions. As a volunteer with the American Heart Association, Dr. Brown leads hands-only CPR trainings in communities that need it most, ensuring more people know how to recognize cardiac arrest, call for help, and take action.
DISCOVERY: In July 2021, Ron Gilberto suffered a massive cardiac arrest at home. His wife, Kathy, performed CPR while his children called 911. When first responders arrived, they used an AED and revived him four times before rushing him to the hospital. Ron’s survival was nothing short of extraordinary. Doctors placed a stent to open a 95% blocked artery, then used an innovative cooling therapy to protect his brain. He defied the statistics, and against all odds, is with us today.
ADVOCACY: Ryan Joy O’Connor was born with a complex congenital heart defect and had her first open-heart surgery as a newborn. Over the years, she’s faced four additional surgeries, undergoing her fifth open-heart at Boston Children’s Hospital in the fall. But through every challenge, she has remained a fierce advocate — not only for herself, but for others with congenital heart disease. Ryan has spent more than a decade working with the American Heart Association, advocating for laws that improve public health at the state and federal levels, including groundbreaking legislation to ensure that all newborns are tested for critical heart defects.
The Heart and Stroke Ball also recognized three “Caretakers of the Torch” who, like the American Heart Association’s symbol of a heart and flaming torch, provide a light in the darkness to promote the power to help our neighbors live healthier lives at any age:
Mike Shetzline never expected to be a cardiac arrest survivor. At 63, he was active, healthy, and had no known heart disease. But one evening, after a normal day, he collapsed in the shower. His wife, Cathe, heard the fall and rushed upstairs, finding him unresponsive. Their son called 911, and with guidance from the dispatcher, Cathe performed CPR until first responders arrived. It took two shocks from an AED to get Mike’s heart beating again. He was rushed to the hospital and placed in a therapeutic coma for two days. Thanks to quick action and expert care, he made a full recovery.
Fresh out of college, Olivia Hart was active, independent, and training for a half-marathon. But when she started feeling constantly exhausted and short of breath, she knew something wasn’t right. At 22, she was diagnosed with heart failure and told she needed a transplant. She spent a year relying on an LVAD before finally receiving a new heart. Recovery wasn’t easy—her body initially rejected the transplant—but Olivia refused to let her experience define her. Instead, it inspired her. She pursued a career in medicine, becoming a paramedic and using her journey to advocate for heart patients like herself.
At just 10 years old, Marina Ganetsky collapsed on her school playground after suffering a massive stroke. She spent weeks in a coma, and when she woke up, she had lost all motor function—unable to walk, talk, or even swallow. Doctors weren’t sure if she would ever regain those abilities. But Marina refused to accept those limits. Through years of intense rehabilitation, she has relearned how to move, speak, and thrive. Now 14, she is excelling in school, skiing again, and inspiring others by sharing her journey. She even co-authored a book, titled Or So They Thought!, to help other kids feel less alone.
During the Heart and Stroke Ball, the Live Fierce Award was also presented to Dr. Spencer Rittner, a primary care physician with Beth Israel Lahey Health. The award, sponsored by Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals, honors individuals who are making an impact by improving the health of our community. Dr. Rittner played a key role in helping to launch a blood pressure loaner program for people who don’t have access to monitors at home. Because of this program, more than 3,000 patients now have the tools and support they need to manage their blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office.
The Paul Dudley White Award, which recognizes compassionate leaders who generously share their time, expertise and resources to drive our mission forward, was given to Dr. Christine “Kricket” Seidman, with Harvard Medical School Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Please enjoy this tribute video for Dr. Seidman shared during the gala.
The Heart and Stroke Ball was a culmination of the Heart of Boston, an American Heart Association initiative that works to equitably improve and save lives. The annual event marks a special moment in time to reflect, honor and celebrate the progress made through the determination, dedication and passion of all who support the Heart of Boston.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals served as the Platform sponsor for this year’s event.
Funds raised through the Heart of Boston campaign and the Heart and Stroke Ball support the Association’s mission to create a world of longer, healthier lives. The American Heart Association is the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health. For more information on how to support the American Heart Association visit Massachusetts | American Heart Association.