The ballroom lights glowed softly across the Omni Providence Hotel as more than three hundred guests took their seats. Around the room were physicians and business leaders, longtime volunteers and first-time supporters, survivors and loved ones carrying stories they never expected to tell. All shared one belief, that together more lives can be saved from heart disease and stroke.
That spirit defined the 2026 Southern New England Heart Ball.
Hosted by the American Heart Association, the evening was a celebration of progress, perseverance and possibility. It served as a powerful reminder that behind every medical breakthrough, every advocacy victory and every statistic is a person whose life has been changed because someone chose to care, give and act.
Throughout the evening, guests heard moving stories from survivors whose lives were forever altered by heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. Their journeys reflected fear, resilience and hope. Each story stood as living proof of the importance of research, education and timely care.
The annual Heart Ball marks the culmination of the Heart of Southern New England campaign, a yearlong effort dedicated to advancing the Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The funds raised will help support groundbreaking research, strengthen community health efforts and deliver lifesaving resources to families across the region.
As guests listened to stories of survival and transformation, the message became increasingly clear: progress does not happen by chance. It happens when communities come together and decide that the health of their neighbors matters.
“Since the American Heart Association’s founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular disease have been cut in half,” said Campaign Chair Joseph Mazza, MD. “The Heart of Southern New England campaign is proof of what’s possible when we stand together for a healthier tomorrow.”
(Dr. Mazza pictured by Jackalack)
One of the evening’s most meaningful moments came with the presentation of the Yvonne Heredia Lifetime Achievement Award to Rev. Albert Whitaker, M.A., M.P.H., D.Min. A respected leader whose career has been defined by service, advocacy and an unwavering commitment to improving lives, Whitaker was recognized for decades of work supporting healthier communities throughout Southern New England. His legacy of leadership drew heartfelt applause and served as a powerful reminder that lasting change often begins with one person willing to lead.
Guiding the evening with warmth, grace and energy was WPRI 12 anchor Kait Walsh. As emcee, Walsh skillfully connected the night’s moments of celebration, remembrance, and inspiration, helping bring the mission to life for everyone in attendance.
Guests enthusiastically supported the mission through fundraising activities, including a lively auction featuring a guitar signed by Taylor Swift. Yet the true value of the evening could not be measured by auction bids or donations alone. It could be seen in the renewed commitment of every person who left determined to help build a healthier future.
“”Our heartfelt thanks go to the guests, sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible,” said Michelle Clark, executive director of the Heart Association in Southern New England. “Together, we are helping bring lifesaving research, education and advocacy to the communities we serve.”
By the end of the evening, one truth stood above all others: heart disease and stroke continue to touch nearly every family, but so does the power of a community determined to make a difference.
The 2026 Southern New England Heart Ball was more than a celebration. It was a testament to what is possible when people come together around a shared purpose. Every story told, every dollar raised and every act of generosity moved us closer to a future with more survivors, more healthy years and more moments shared with the people we love.
Because every heartbeat matters. And every life saved is a reminder that this work cannot wait.
If the evening inspired you, now is the time to get involved. Whether as a volunteer, sponsor, donor or committee member, there are countless ways to help shape the future of the Southern New England Heart Ball and advance the Heart Association’s mission of longer, healthier lives.
To learn more about joining next year’s campaign and event leadership efforts, contact Lindsay Iadeluca at lindsay.iadeluca@heart.org.
Together, we can continue turning hope into action and changing the future of health for generations to come.