The Eric De La Cruz Hope For Hearts Foundation is hosting a heart-healthy “Raise A Glass” benefit wine mixer to raise money and awareness for those in need of heart transplants. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, from 6 to 9 pm at the magnificent Vinatta Project restaurant and bar in New York City’s Meatpacking District.
The event will be hosted by MSNBC anchor and Hope For Hearts founder Veronica De La Cruz. Fellow MSNBC personalities Thomas Roberts and Richard Lui will also serve as event co-hosts. Several celebrity guests, including former New York Giant center Shaun O’Hara, are expected to attend and all guests will enjoy a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of wines generously provided by Cellar Angels, a private wine buying club that is launching its support of Hope For Hearts as one of its promoted charities. Among the silent auction items being offered are: a 5 day trip to Nikki Beach in Ko Samui, Thailand; NBC studio tours; tickets to The Colbert Report & The Daily Show; a gift certificate towards charter from Magellan Jets; signed items from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show and Morning Joe; a private dinner for 4 with a celebrity chef; signed memorabilia from the New York Yankees and New York Rangers; designer luggage; Lumete eyewear; and leather coats. Music selections will be provided by fashion designer Prabal Gurung’s latest musical obsession, Brooklyn band Snowmine (for more: http://www.hopeforheartsfoundation.org/vogue/prabal-loves-snowmine.html)
All proceeds will benefit the Eric De La Cruz Hope For Hearts Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by De La Cruz in memory of her brother Eric, who died while waiting for a heart transplant that was delayed when he was shut out of the insurance system due to a pre-existing condition. The organization’s mission is to provide resources, education, and much needed funds to patients and their families struggling to meet the overwhelming costs of a heart transplant.
“We are thrilled to be observing February as National Heart Month with such a positive and social fund-raising event,” stated De La Cruz. “I know my brother Eric would be proud to see people come together to show their heart by supporting people who need help to get life-saving treatment.”
A tax-deductible $50 donation per guest is requested for admission and attendees are encouraged learn more and RSVP online at www.hopeforheartsfoundation.org/raise.html. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend this event. There will be a red carpet from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm; for more information, contact info@ericataylorpr.com.
About The Hope For Hearts Foundation & Veronica De La Cruz
On July 4, 2009, Eric De La Cruz ran out of time waiting for a life-saving heart transplant. Founded by Eric’s sister Veronica, the Eric De La Cruz Hope For Hearts Foundation now provides financial assistance, educational resources, and advocacy for other heart transplant patients and their families as they face the daunting task of getting the second chance at life that Eric did not.
Veronica De La Cruz is an MSNBC anchor and one of the current hosts of NBC’s Early Today Show and MSNBC’s First Look. In addition to her role as an MSNBC anchor, De La Cruz is an active volunteer with groups promoting healthcare reform. Ms. De La Cruz’s full bio is available at MSNBC’s website and two recent MSNBC PSA’s on heart health can be viewed at the Foundation’s video page.
About Cellar Angels
Based in Chicago, Cellar Angels is an online wine buying club that offers great wines at discounted prices while donating 10% of net proceeds to a carefully selected list of charities. Most wines offered by Cellar Angels are from family-run, boutique vineyards in the Napa and Sonoma areas of California, so quantities are limited. More information is available at http://www.cellarangels.com.
