The Marfan Foundation announced today that it raised more than $1.2 million last night at its 17th Heartworks gala in New York City. More than 500 people were on-hand as the Foundation honored Karen Murray, the recently named CEO of Sequential Brands Group, with its first Inspiration of Excellence Award and presented its prestigious Hero with a Heart Awards to Joseph Coselli, MD, Professor of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, and Sinclair Li, Executive Vice President, CBRE Inc.
Actress and comedian Julie Halson was master of ceremonies for the gala, which featured a performance by Stephanie Mills, including her Grammy Award-winning song, Never Knew Love Like This Before. Broadway starts Ann Reinking, whose son has Marfan syndrome, and Bebe Neuwirth were among those in the audience.
Heartworks has raised more than $13 million for the Foundation to date. The proceeds from the event are earmarked for the Foundation's programs and services in the areas of education, patient support, and research.
The Foundation is grateful to its sponsors for their support of this event. They include Victory Sponsors Sequential Brands Group and VF Corporation; Innovation Sponsors Allen & Company, American Heart Association, Burlington Stores, KPMG, Macy's and Bloomingdales, Karen Murray0063 and Harry Steinmetz, One Jeanswear Group, Ann Reinking, Ross Stores, Inc., Shoton and Witte Family, and Wendy and Stephen B. Siegel; and many Friends and Family Sponsors.