The 2016 Greater Washington Region Heart Ball will be here in a matter of weeks, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Take Action.”
Patient First Medical Director Dr. Mark Paster is the auction committee chairman for this year’s DC Heart Ball. WashingtonExec recently spoke with Paster about the event and his work with AHA.
WashingtonExec: What made you want to get involved in the Heart Ball and the DC American Heart Association?
Mark Paster: As a physician practicing in the Northern Virginia and D.C. area since 2003, I see the effects of heart disease first-hand. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and will likely, in some way, touch every one of us. The AHA is an incredible organization full of dedicated people who work endlessly and in a variety of arenas to improve lives and help bring about an end to this epidemic.
WashingtonExec: Could you tell us a little bit more about that and how individuals and/or companies can get involved with the Open Your Heart campaign?
Mark Paster: The Open Your Heart campaign is a way for individuals or companies to make donations directly to the AHA which goes directly to fund research. You can make a donation at dcheartball.com.
WashingtonExec: Could you give us some insight to local statistics related to heart disease?
Mark Paster: In the United States generally, including the Washington D.C area, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Heart disease is also the No. 1 killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Also, as rates of obesity and diabetes rise, these associated diseases only amplify the importance of research, advances and aggressive care to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Getting involved with the AHA was, in addition to the care I give professionally, my way to do a little more to try to make and keep people healthier.
WashingtonExec: Is there something different about the auction this year that you want potential participant to know about?
Mark Paster: We’re excited to have National Geographic Expeditions back again this year. To celebrate the centennial year of the National Parks, National Geographic has donated an eight-day excursion for two through Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I’ve also had the privilege of attending the Heart Ball several times as a guest and was fortunate enough last year, during the silent and very exciting and fun live auction, to bid on and win a couple of items, including a spectacular trip to France that included traveling through Paris as well as wine tasting in Bordeaux.
This year we’ve really gone above and beyond. The Heart Ball auction committee has 11 people on it who are as dedicated as I am, and we are trying to raise $175,000 for the Heart Association to fund ongoing research. In addition to a wide variety of local things, [such as]dinners with prominent people in the D.C. area to amazing dining and other experiences locally, there are [also]some fantastic trips. The new one about which I’m most excited is the trip to South Africa, including a safari in Kruger National Park. It includes flights, daily excursions out, five-star accommodations courtesy of Singita and the One&Only – it is really a once in a lifetime experience.
WashingtonExec: What is the fundraising goal for the 2016 Heart Ball?
Mark Paster: The overall event goal is $1.1 million.
WashingtonExec: Are there any particular companies or donors for the auction that you all wanted to highlight?
Mark Paster: DCI and Anybill have been generous sponsors year after year in addition to numerous others, such as KPMG, CareFirst, AstraZeneca, Juniper Networks and The Meltzer Group. We are also very thrilled to have Inova come on as an auction donor. They donated two year-long memberships to their Inova 360 Health Plan, which offers the most personalized, thorough, and convenient health care in the area.
In addition, Delta Airlines has been greatly involved for the past five years where they generously donate $25,000 worth of airline vouchers which make our travel excursions a truly first class experience. We are so thankful for their participation and would love for their support to continue indefinitely.
Related: SAVE THE DATE: 2016 Greater Washington Region Heart Ball, Feb. 27
