Story and photography by Marcy Anderson Sanford

For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has made bold moves to save lives and pioneer scientific discoveries. The Knoxville Heart Ball unites advocates with a shared purpose to raise the critical funds needed to ensure the American Heart Association’s work continues and provides an opportunity to celebrate milestones, thank sponsors and honor heroes. This was the 41st annual Knoxville Heart Ball and this year’s volunteer event chairs were Adrienne and Josh Ingoldt and the survivor honoree was Adrienne’s mother, Karen Horlick, who is a stroke survivor. More than 400 attendees gathered for the celebration which included a silent and live auction, fun cocktail hour, and beautiful and delicious Italian themed dinner.