The 2022 Milwaukee American Heart Association’s Heart and Stroke Ball had already reached a record total in dollars raised when the festivities closed Saturday, May 7, at a packed Pfister Hotel.

And then one more donation pushed that amount even higher.

A generous donation by the Windhover Foundation brought the total dollar figure to $1 million for the 45th annual event to make an already highly successful night go to another level.

“It has been an incredible 2022 Heart of Milwaukee campaign topped off by a Heart and Stroke Ball on May 7th that was absolutely incredible to witness,” said Bernie Sherry, 2022 Heart of Milwaukee Chair and CEO and Ministry Market Executive for Ascension Wisconsin. “The power of community impact was demonstrated Saturday evening through the generosity of individuals and corporations aligned to support our community. The dollars we raised will go a long way to fund cardiovascular medical research, educate consumers on healthy living, and foster appropriate cardiac care in Southeast Wisconsin.”

Around 450 attendees filled the Grand Ballroom for the event, which included a silent auction, live auction and a heart-warming story of Lily Lachman, a 13-year-old Kenosha girl whose life was saved by a heart transplant seven years ago after she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

Among the other key donations to the AHA was $75,000 raised by Sendik’s as part of its “Round-up at the register” campaign during February, March and April.

“We’re so appreciative of all the support from everyone who attended, to all of our sponsors, and to Bernie and Ascension for their leadership throughout our planning for this year’s Heart Ball,” Milwaukee American Association Executive Director Katie Connolly said. “The generous outpouring of support will clearly help us continue our mission of ridding our citizens of heart disease and stroke. It was truly a special night.”

In the past five years, the AHA has funded 81 total studies for more than $13 million in Wisconsin, including 33 at the Medical College of Wisconsin, 42 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, four at Marquette University and two at Versiti in Milwaukee.

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