The Party: The American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2018 Heart Ball was reminiscent of the British Invasion as the Gaillard was decked out in relics of London, complete with a group of Queen’s Guard keeping watch over the affair. The 21st annual event, including live and silent auctions, a gourmet meal catered by the Gailliard, and live entertainment by a bonafide Beatles cover band, raised more than $391,000 that will helps fight and prevent heart disease and stroke in the Charleston community. Dancers from Dance Lab got down with throwback moves as Debonaire Entertainment brought the magic of the Fab Four to the stage. Led by Dr. Brett Baker of Roper St. Francis, numerous speakers, including Josh Marthers and Octavia Mitchell of WCBD News 2 and Dr. Marc Katz of MUSC, share about the life-altering work of AHA.
The Highlight: The touching stories of Ben Burkholder and Davis Dawson, this year’s two Open Your Heart honorees. The boys were both born with a congenital heart defect, which affects one in every 100 children.
Overheard: “A bloody good party, indeed!”
Beneficiary: American Heart Association
