'Hamptons Heart Ball' Raises Nearly $600,000 For Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke Research

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY - Each of the 500 attendees for the American Heart Association’s 20th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball took the year’s theme to heart and definitely enjoyed their “Evening Under The Stars”.

The event was held on the grounds of the Hayground School in Bridgehampton; the event raised nearly $600,000 to help in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

This year’s honorees were Jean Shafiroff, humanitarian, author and philanthropist, who received the Humanitarian with Heart Award.

In his speech, Shafiroff paid tribute to the American Heart Association, saying she was involved in the AHA because of her departed father, who "despite having a heart attack at 51 had survived until 94 in part due to good heart health", a release said.

Also honored was Dr. Frank Spencer, MD, Professor of Surgery, at NYU Langone Medical Center with the Distinguished Service Award as the most significant pioneer in surgical therapy.

This year’s Hamptons Heart Ball was chaired by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Nicole Noonan, Randi Schatz, and Tracy Stern. The three course dinner was catered by the Garden City Hotel.

Lonnie Quinn, chief weather caster and Kristine Johnson, news anchor, CBS 2 News, served as masters of ceremonies.

The live auction, conducted by Robbie Gordy of Christie’s, included great prizes such as a heart shaped ruby and diamond ring and a VIP ski trip to Aspen; Star Jones participated in the auction to help raise critical funds.

Committee members and guests included Bert and Meredith Cohen, John and Terry Tortorella, David and Jill Kandell, Arnie and Paola Rosenshein, Star Jones, Dr. Aubrey Galloway, Dr. Leonard Girardi, Dr.Jeff Moses, Dr. John Pearson, and Dr. Larry Chinitz, John and Margo Catsimatidis, Dottie Herman, Debra Halpert, Dr. Greenberg, Cassandra Seidenfeld and Susan Shin.