Orlando Hadassah once again promotes heart health awareness with a successful fundraiser and luncheon

The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah recently held the Bunny Rosen Women's Heart Health Fashion Show Luncheon at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park. Once again this annual event proved to be a great success, both as a fundraiser and as an enjoyable afternoon with genial company, excellent food and a beautiful venue.

This event contributes charitable funds to promote heart health awareness, training and information to women in the greater Orlando area. The chapter also provides funds for research to unravel the mysteries of heart disease through the Hadassah Medical Originations (HMO) Heart Institute in Jerusalem.

Currently, physicians at HMO are researching ways to use specialized stem cells to replace cells lost to heart attacks or disease. A technique is under investigation that would enable a patient's own cells to repair the heart, as opposed to transplanting foreign cells from outside the body. The hope is to induce parts of the heart to regenerate and limit the damage done by heart attacks.

In the not so distant future Hadassah doctors hope to take a CT or MRI picture of a person's heart valve, model the image with a 3D printer, and then build a personalized new valve to implant in an individual's heart. This work is preliminary but it may be the next frontier in personalized medicine as it relates to cardiology.

These are but a few of the concepts Hadassah researchers are working on to improve heart health in the U.S. and abroad.

The members of the Orlando Chapter have contributed their time and funds to support these extraordinary medical projects as well to promote heart disease awareness among area women. Jointly, the members wish to thank those whose exceptional efforts led to the rousing success of this annual event, and express their appreciation to President Susan Livingstone for her overall support, to treasurer Emily Rotenberg for her financial supervision, and to principal sponsor Rita Weissmann for her advice and assistance.

Kudos to Paula Roth for creating the magnificent centerpieces and to Nancy Greenfield for handling the arduous job of taking reservations, meal requests and organizing the seating. Hats off to Joan Schwebel for preparing the beautiful gift baskets and handling the basket auction. Thanks to Marcia Wasserman for coordinating the event and designing the programs and place cards.

The Orlando Chapter of Hadassah also expresses gratitude to its sponsors, fundraisers, members, and Chico's Winter Park whose efforts made this event possible.