SPANISH FORT — The annual Mobile Heart Ball celebrates the work, mission and lives saved through donations to the American Heart Association.

Last year, funds raised by the nationwide Heart Ball campaign helped the American Heart Association fund more than $123 million in research and programs around the country.

This year, the event’s organizers will honor Springhill Medical Center CEO Jeff St. Clair and Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Lynn Batten for their work in advancing heart health. Two-year-old Robert Faulkner, a heart surgery survivor, will also be honored as the year’s “Face of Heart” award recipient.

St. Clair and the Springhill Medical team raised more than $60,000 during the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk at the University of South Alabama in October. Batten is recognized as a leading pediatric cardiologist in the Mobile area, who diagnoses and treats heart conditions in children, including heart disease and congenital heart defects.

WHAT: The 2014 Mobile Heart Ball

WHERE: 5 Rivers Delta Hall, Spanish Fort

WHEN: Thursday, May 8 from 6–9:30 p.m.

WHY: To raise funds for the American Heart Association

TICKETS: $100 per person or $1,000 per table of eight; to purchase email whitney.golden@heart.org or call 228-604-5316

INFO: Visit MobileHeartBall.AHAEvents.org to register, donate or volunteer