Amy and Tony Torres to Chair Montgomery County Heart Ball, this February in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Amy and Tony Torres, along with local staff for the American Heart Association, have been busy this fall planning for this centennial celebration which will honor the Association’s 100-year anniversary and showcase four heart survivors from our own community. The Ball is being held on the evening of Saturday, February 24th at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.

From the Tiniest of Hearts to The Most Mature will serve as the event’s theme with stories being told through videos, photographs and survivors and their family members’ personal stories. St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands is the evening’s Presenting Sponsor as well as the Association’s Live Fierce Sponsor for Montgomery County. Live Fierce Montgomery County, a dynamic health program dedicated to saving and improving lives right here in our community, invites health partners and others to collaborate and engage around heart health, driving a more equitable health impact overall.

The Gulf Coast Division’s Second Century Campaign donors, those who have made pledges to support the American Heart Association as it begins its second century this January, will also be recognized. These donors include BlackPearl Technology, First Community, Houston Methodist the Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann the Woodlands Hospital, St. Luke’s Health the Woodlands Hospital, St. Luke’s Health the Woodlands Hospital, Tomball Regional Health Foundation, UTMB Health, Woodforest National Bank and Suzanne and Bob Potter.

2024 marks 100 years of scientific discovery and innovation by the American Heart Association. Founded in Chicago by six cardiologists, the Association was inspired by a social worker who felt more could be done to help people who suffered heart attacks. From humble beginnings and with a vision of improving health around the world, the American Heart Association has grown dramatically and is now the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. During this second century of bold action, the Association is committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

With bold hearts, our own local volunteers in the Gulf Coast, as well as our other supporters and staff will forge ahead into the organization’s second century. The Association will continue to fuel science and innovation, fund lifesaving research, stand for the rights of patients and caregivers, work with communities, and help transcend the way we live, work and play.

“In honor of our Centennial Year, our team here at the AHA knew that the 2024 Heart Ball would provide the perfect opportunity to showcase four of our own community’s heart survivors, who range from infancy to full adulthood,” said Kellie Armstrong, Executive Director of the American Heart Association’s Gulf Coast division. “All four individuals received excellent care at our local hospitals, and we are so pleased to be honoring those institutions on February 24th also.”

Amy and Tony Torres have been long-time friends and supporters of the American Heart Association in our area, with Amy currently serving as the Montgomery County Circle of Red chair. The Association’s Circle of Red is a giving society of committed women who are working in their own communities and neighborhoods to fight against heart disease and stroke. And Tony has his own personal story connected to heart health as his father suffered from cardiac issues and multiples strokes. Outside of their local work on behalf of the Gulf Coast Division of the American Heart Association, Amy and Tony Torres support Interfaith of The Woodlands, the United Way, the HOPE Beyond Batton Disease Foundation and The Woodlands Christian Academy. Tony is also an Alexis de Tocqueville Member of the United Way, a member of the Audit Committee of the United Way of Greater Houston and a Regional Economic Development Committee member of the Greater Houston Partnership.

“These survivors, who range from the tiniest of hearts to the most mature, represent the exceptional care available at our local hospitals here in Montgomery County,” said Amy Torres. “Tony and I are honored to be so directly involved in this Centennial Heart Ball, which marks such a milestone for the American Heart Association.”

For more information about ways to participate in the 2024 Heart Ball, please contact Lisa Fenley at lisa.fenley@heart.org or Kristi Grosse at kristi.grosse@heart.org.