A Celebration of creating and sharing. Our evening celebrates: our work and mission; our donors and volunteers; and — most importantly — the lives saved and improved because of everyone’s effort. The Champaign County Heart & Stroke Ball promises to be an engaging evening of fun and passion bringing community and philanthropic leaders together. Last year, our Heart Ball campaign raised just over $51 million nation-wide allowing us to fund over $123 million of research and programs across the country and in your community. Since 2001, the American Heart Association has funded almost $6.7 million in groud-breaking research studies conducted in Champaign-Urbana at the University of Illinois.

Since the first event in 2001, the Heart Ball has since been Chaired by numerous community and philanthropic leaders. Here is a look at our friends of heart.

2002 – President Emeritus James Stukel and Mr. and Mrs. Craig Bazanni
2003 - Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fox
2004 – Mr. and Mrs. Tom Harrington
2005 – Mr. and Mrs. Van Dukeman
2006 – Chancellor and Mrs. Richard Herman
2007 – Mr. and Mrs. David Mills with Special Appeal Heart Champion Mr. Douglas Mills 2008 – Mr. and Mrs. Michael Comet
2009 – Mr. and Mrs. Curt Anderson with Special Appeal Heart Co-Champions Mr. and Mrs. Wade Denby
2010 - Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Shapland with Special Appeal Heart Champion Mr. Tim Murphy

2011 Heart & Stroke Ball Co-host:
Stevie Jay Khachaturian

As a top radio personality for over 30 years, Stevie Jay Khachaturian is known for his enthusiasm, energy and his positive attitude. He spent 26 years with the News Gazette and WDWS as afternoon and morning talk show host. He has worked with ABC Radio Sports, on several PBS specials, and on stage across the state, the country and Puerto Rico. His regular radio guests include Hall of Fame player and coach Mike Ditka, Steve Forbes, and former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. He and his wife Janet are blessed with four children, Nathaniel and triplets, Christian, Benjamin and Grace.

2011 Heart & Stroke Ball Co-host & Auctioneer:
Mark Jones


Mark Jones, who hosted last year's Heart Ball, is one of the UK's most experienced radio and TV presenters; he's emceed hundreds of high-profile events Worldwide, from China ...to Champaign!

Photos from past Champaign Heart & Stroke Balls