The American Heart Association's second annual Kern County Heart Ball took place in our own backyard on Saturday, May 17 at the Seven Oaks Country Club. In addition to delicious food and beverage, good company and live music from soloist Michael Redd Jr. and band The Trip, the event emphasized the importance of fostering heart health in the community and featured local stories of survival. 

 

One story was from Ash Anderson, a student at St. John's Lutheran School. Alongside his family, he shared his story of surviving a congenital heart defect thanks, in part, to ongoing scientific discovery supported by the American Heart Association. As part of the American Heart Association's in-school program, called the Kids Heart Challenge, Ash was also able to share his journey with fellow students, building his confidence and helping others understand what it means to be born with a 'special heart.' 

 

This year's Heart Ball was again sponsored by Adventist Health and chaired by Jason Wells, president of the Adventist Health Central California Network. He shared with attendees the lifesaving role that CPR had played shortly after last year's Heart Ball and reminded them of the two easy steps of Hands-Only CPR: call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast in the middle of the chest. This, of course, to the tune of a song that's 100-120 beats per minute, such as "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter.  

 

For those who would like to get involved with our local American Heart Association's lifesaving work — whether through volunteering, attending events, supporting public education efforts or serving as a sponsor — contact the Association's Kern County executive director Kelley Berry, kelley.berry@heart.org.