Heartworks Gala Raises $1.2 Million For Marfan Foundation
Karen Murray, president of VF Sportswear and chair of the board of The Marfan Foundation, hosted the annual Heartworks Gala last week at Cipriani, raising over $1.2 million to help provide education, patient support and research for people living with Marfan syndrome and related disorders. Marfan syndrome is an inherited disease that affects the body’s connective tissue.
A cocktail reception and silent auction began at 6 p.m., followed by an incredible dinner and an emotional awards ceremony honoring Isaiah Austin, a former Baylor University basketball star who suffers from the syndrome, and Carolyn Levering, Emeritus CEO of The Marfan Foundation, with its 2015 Hero with a Heart Award.
Honorary chair Michael R. Bloomberg was in attendance, along with other notables including Tony award-winning James Naughton as master of ceremonies, WNBC-TV’s chief meteorologist Janice Huff, Knicks broadcaster and Today contributor Jill Martin, former Knicks icon and Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Broadway and television star Megan Hilty, who performed at the event.