Published: March 23, 2007 10:08 am      

Special guests | Heart association welcoming 4-year-old, mom to annual benefit

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Organizers say “Stay Young at Heart” is more than a gala theme when they see a child such as 4-year-old Nathan Askey.

Nathan and his mother, Lisa Askey of Brownstown, will be special guests at the 2007 Cambria County Division, American Heart Association Ball on Saturday at the Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon St., Johnstown.

Nathan also is the son of Edward Askey of Johnstown.

Askey said she and Nathan will be on hand to share the challenges her family has faced.

Nathan had his first open-heart surgery when he was 11 days old.

“They had him diagnosed from birth, and we knew what was ahead,” Askey said.

About five months later, Nathan had his second of three surgeries to fix a double-outlet right ventricle, an abnormality in a heart chamber.

“His last surgery occurred when he was 18 months old to repair a hole in his heart,” Askey said. “His prognosis is good.”

The American Heart Association will welcome patrons to its annual black-tie optional gala beginning at 5:30 p.m. during a cocktail hour held prior to dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions.

Chris Martella, sales manager for Abbott Laboratories and chairman of the event, said the heart association’s initiatives are placing more emphasis on the alarming increases in childhood obesity and teaching parents and their children about leading healthier lifestyles.

“Our goal is to raise $120,000 and in keeping with our ‘Stay Young at Heart’ theme, we want to help kids live stronger, more active lives,” Martella said.

“Kids deserve everything we can do to offer them the best opportunities for healthy living.”

When the cardiologist explained Nathan’s heart defect to his mother, his assessment confirmed her conviction that she was doing the right thing for her son.

“The cardiologist said that technology has become so advanced in the past 10 years that he was certain they could fix Nathan’s condition,” Askey said.

“His confidence gave me the confidence to see us through these surgeries.”

Television news anchor Marty Radovanic of WJAC-TV will serve as emcee.

Music will be provided by Flood City Brass, which plays music from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Live and silent auctions will be offered with auctioneer Merle Mishler of Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, wielding the gavel for the live portion of the bidding.

“We also have four Steelers tickets donated by the Rooney family,” Martella said. “They are good for any game of the winner’s choosing.”

Instead of bidding on the tickets, the committee decided to conduct a “Football & Fizz” drawing.

“Participants can buy a glass of champagne for $25 and be eligible to win the tickets,” Martella said.

“We only are selling 100 glasses, so the odds of winning are pretty good.”

Gala patrons will also learn more about what American Heart Association volunteers and staff are doing to protect those least able to protect themselves.

“I support the work of the American Heart Association because the dollars that go to heart research and improved technology have helped to save my Nathan,” said Askey.

She hopes that by attending the ball, she and Nathan can inspire others to support these efforts.

“There might be someone there who has the means to make a difference,” Askey said.

“If they see what these advances have done for Nathan, perhaps it will inspire someone to do more.”

Tickets are $100 and can be ordered in advance by calling 266-8905.



Fundraiser

Who: Special guest Nathan Askey, 4, of Brownstown.

What: 2007 Cambria County Division, American Heart Association ball.

Where: Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon St., Johnstown.

When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: $100 a person; corporate tables are available.

Reservations: 266-8905.