The American Heart Association will host its first Young at Heart event on Thursday, November 5 at 5pm to raise awareness and fund research and educational initiatives. Originally planned as an in-person event, the free digital experience will include inspiring speakers, an Open Your Heart appeal, and cooking demonstration by celebrity Chef Richard Blais. The keynote speaker for the evening is Basketball Hall of Famer, Geno Auriemma, Head Coach of the UCONN Women’s Basketball team.
The Young at Heart event hosted by Kara Sundlun of WFSB will focus on prevention and lifestyle which is key to reducing risks for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Supriya Tigadi, assistant professor at the Calhoun Cardiology Center at UCONN Health will discuss how eating well and being physically active can make an impact on health at any age. Survivor speaker, Andrew Jones of Farmington will share his story as a heart transplant recipient at the age of 22 and its impact on his life as a competitive body builder.
The highlight of the event will be a keynote address given by Geno Auriemma. Auriemma will give insight to his life as a young boy coming to American with his family and how his experiences during that time shaped him to who he is today. He also shares his views on how to navigate the pandemic and be resilient through this time.
Rounding out the event will be a cooking demonstration by Chef Richard Blais. Richard Blais is a chef, television personality, restaurateur, and author. He appeared on the reality cooking sh
ow Top Chef and is known for his take on classic American cuisine. Richard was the runner-up for the fourth season of Top Chef and returned several seasons later to win Top Chef: All-Stars. Chef Blais will prepare Huevos Rancheros.
Through the support of sponsors and attendees, over $70,000 will be raised to fund education and research while making an impact on Greater Hartford’s health and well-being.
Serving as co-chairs are Ed Kindelan and Melissa Ferrucci of CohnReznick. The co-chairs will call on area volunteers, survivors and business leaders to join the fight against stroke to help increase awareness and prevention of strokes, and reduce stroke-related disability and death.
To register for the event go to http://hartfordheartball.heart.org. The event is free!