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Community Corner

American Heart Association honors top Orange County volunteers, supporters

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Orange County Division paid tribute to its volunteers and supporters and their valuable contributions to the fight against heart disease and stroke in a special reception held in Irvine on July 15.

The event, hosted by the AHA’s Orange County Board of Directors, highlighted volunteers from all over Orange County whose in such areas as multicultural initiatives, community and youth outreach and campaign and event leadership are making a difference in the community. The honorees received a plaque of recognition and were treated to a heart healthy lunch at the AHA’s Irvine headquarters.

The award recipients included Edwards Lifesciences, honored with the Corporate Community Partner Award. A longtime supporter of the AHA, Edwards has significantly contributed to the Go Red For Women Luncheon, Heart & Stroke Ball and the Heart & Stroke Walk where 700 employees participated.

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UC Irvine Medical Center received the Hospital Partner Award for their commitment to advancing the mission of the AHA, particularly through the leadership of CEO Terry Belmont who chaired a successful Heart & Stroke Ball in 2013 and serves on the AHA’s Orange County Board of Directors.

Bergelectric was named the Wellness Champion for creating a culture of health and wellness in its workplace and providing financial support to employees who have committed to joining the AHA’s marathon training program, Start Training.

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Additional individuals honored at the Volunteer Awards reception were:

1. Aileen Castillo – Volunteer of the Year, Multicultural Initiatives
2. Kerrie Rodriguez – Volunteer of the Year, Heart Walk Logistics Committee
3. Randy Highland – Chairman, Heart and Stroke Walk
4. Andrew Soffa – Chairman, Heart and Stroke Walk
5. Najla Debow – Volunteer of the Year, Go Red For Women
6. Christine McCauley – Chairwoman, Go Red For Women
7. Jennifer Shively – Pulse Committee, Heart and Stroke Ball
8. Murthy Simhambhatla – Chairman, Heart & Stroke Ball
9. Avedis Sarkisian – Intern of the Year
10. Elizabeth Lau – Office Volunteer of the Year
11. Newmeyer & Dillon – Lawyers with Heart
12. St. Hedwig Catholic School – Jump Rope For Heart Champion
13. David and Genell Schlotterbeck – Philanthropists of the Year

The American Heart Association’s mission is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Its goal by 2020 is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 20 percent. Its work includes funding lifesaving research, providing best practices for quality patient care, health advocacy, community education outreach and empowering youth to live healthy.

For information on volunteer opportunities, visit www.heart.org/orangecounty or call (949) 856-3555.

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