The American Heart Association raised more than $360,000 during its 2026 Upstate Heart Ball campaign.
Nearly 400 community leaders, volunteers and survivors attended the annual event held May 15 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The theme of this year’s Upstate Heart Ball was “A Southern Palm Soirée.”
The Upstate Heart Ball marks the culmination of a year-round campaign focused on expanding research, advocacy, education and access to care for those affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. The raised funding directly supports the American Heart Association’s mission “to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”
“Through this community’s outstanding support, we are advancing access to lifesaving education and care, powering groundbreaking scientific discoveries, advocating for better policies and health outcomes and building a stronger, healthier Upstate for all,” said Ashley Coleman, American Heart Association Upstate executive director.
Local survivors, caregivers, researchers and community leaders shared their personal stories during the Upstate Heart Ball. The event’s honorees included
- Mary Burton Wilkins and Will Wright, congenital heart defect survivors and Open Your Heart honorees
- Trey Morrow and Emily Koon, heart disease survivors
- Sarah Key Wrenn, Miss South Carolina
- David and Susan Wilkins, 2026 legacy chairs
- Lekesha Benson, community advocate
- Boone Norris, a five-month-old open-heart surgery survivor
Walt and Donyelle Wilkins, chairs of the 2026 Upstate Heart Ball, said it has been an honor to lead the campaign and unite the community to support more lifesaving research and education.
“As parents of a heart survivor and friends to many others personally impacted by heart disease and stroke, we understand how important it is to continue advancing this work,” Walt and Donyelle Wilkins said. “We could not be more proud of how the Upstate community has rallied together to help save lives.”
For more information, visit https://ahagreenvillesc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20252026GreenvilleSCHeartBall/tabid/1552808/Default.aspx.
