Event Details

Our Mission:
Established in 1948, the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association is made up of women from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC who are passionate about improving cardiac health. Many of us have heart conditions or have loved ones who have been affected by heart disease. To honor them, our board raises funds to sponsor cardiovascular research grants.

Our annual fundraising event, An Affair of the Heart, is held every February, with proceeds going to fund the American Heart Association’s mission and new cardiovascular research. In just the past 25 years, our board has raised over 10 million dollars and funded nearly 80 different grants. Partnering with the Association, we are contributing to a world where longer, healthier lives are possible for us all.

What to Expect from An Affair of the Heart?
Welcome to An Affair of the Heart 2026! Our fundraising event is the oldest, continuous fundraising event of any nationally recognized non-profit group. Proceeds from An Affair of the Heart go directly toward our Women’s Board mission: to raise funds for vital cardiovascular research. The research grants we fund aim to prevent and treat heart disease—our nation’s largest health threat. Grantees are selected from nationally recognized institutions such as the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia University Research Corporation. At our luncheon, we honor the grant recipients from the previous year.

We invite you to join us this year at the beautiful Marriott Marquis, in Washington DC, for a fun afternoon combining our love for fashion and fundraising! Our fashion show is produced by Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase, and features a preview of designer fashions for Spring 2026. Diptyque of Georgetown has graciously sponsored our table gifts and our silent auction has an array of unique and memorable items you won’t want to miss! Please use the link below to purchase your ticket or to donate to lifesaving research. Together our efforts to fund today’s research will become tomorrow’s advances to improve cardiac health.

With heart,
Stacie Kotter, Chair of the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association
Michelle LaBelle, Vice-chair of the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association

Event Schedule:
11:00 AM | Reception & Silent Auction
12:00 PM | Luncheon & Fashion Show

Attire:
Business Casual

Parking Information:
Valet - Paid by guests.

Auction:
Event attendees will be sent a personalized link to browse and bid on this year's packages. If you are interested in bidding on this year's auction, please contact Ava Schrand at ava.schrand@heart.org.