Nearly 500 champions of children’s health, including advocates, medical professionals, and generous donors, filled the Fairmont Austin for HeartGift’s Party with a Purpose, raising more than $1 million to fund critical heart surgeries for children world-wide. This year’s theme, Bold Hearts, Bright Futures, set a vibrant and hopeful tone, with the evening’s “pop of red and a touch of heart” motif transforming the ballroom into a stunning sea of red.
One of the night’s most powerful moments came when four-year-old Thiago from Honduras took the stage. As a HeartGift patient awaiting surgery to close the hole in his heart, Thiago captured every heart in the room. His mother’s emotional remarks served as a poignant reminder of the life-changing impact of HeartGift’s work.
The event honored longtime supporter Gary Farmer with the Mending Heart Hero Impact Award. For more than two decades, Gary’s advocacy, generosity, and unwavering commitment have helped advance HeartGift’s mission of providing life-saving heart care to children in regions with little to no access to specialized treatment.
Auctioneer Heath Hale from Cowboy Auctioneer kept the energy high during a lively auction. Standout auction experiences included luxury trips to St. Barths, Telluride, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, as well as an African hunting excursion and the iconic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. The most meaningful offerings gave guests the opportunity to accompany HeartGift on a medical mission trip to Honduras or Bolivia.
“What we saw this year was truly special—so much heart and generosity, all coming together to make this a record year. It also means we can reach and save even more children around the world in the year ahead," said Christy Casey-Moore, HeartGift CEO.
The celebration concluded with a live performance by George Birge, a country music artist born and raised in Austin, who kept the dance floor packed with hits like “Mind On You” and “Cowboy Songs.”
To support HeartGift’s mission of providing life-saving heart surgery to children in the regions it serves, visit heartgift.org.
