Heart N Hands sets September heart health events in New Orleans

Heart N Hands will host a heart health summit and fundraising gala in New Orleans on Sept. 11-12 to support girls’ prevention education, wellness and leadership programs. The events are designed to raise money, expand access to programming and promote early heart disease awareness among girls ages 10-18.

Why it matters: - Heart N Hands is using two September events to fund heart health education, prevention and early detection programs for girls ages 10-18. - Proceeds will support wellness programming, CPR awareness, nutrition, physical activity, mental wellness and leadership development. - The events are meant to expand access to programming nationwide while strengthening community engagement in New Orleans.

What happened: - Heart N Hands announced the State of My Heart Summit for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at New Orleans East Hospital. - Heart N Hands also announced the Love Your Heart Gala for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. - The summit will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - The gala will include a VIP reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the gala and auction from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and additional information are available through the gala registration page and the summit registration page.

The details: - The summit will focus on women's heart health, prevention, wellness, mental health, nutrition, movement and healthy lifestyle choices. - Physicians, healthcare professionals, wellness experts, survivors and community leaders are scheduled to participate. - The gala will bring together corporate partners, community leaders, healthcare professionals, donors and supporters. - Guests at the gala will get cocktails, New Orleans-inspired cuisine, live entertainment, storytelling, silent and live auctions, and tributes to Heart N Hands' young leaders, volunteers, sponsors and community partners. - Individual gala tickets are $150. - Tables for 10 are $1,500. - Sponsorships start at $1,500. - The organization is offering a $75 "Host a Girl's Heart" option that sponsors a girl ages 10-18 to attend the gala free and provides a discounted ticket for a parent or guardian. - Girls ages 10-18 can attend the gala free under the Host a Heart Girl + Parent/Guardian option.

Between the lines: - The fundraising push shows how Heart N Hands is tying community events directly to program growth. - The format also blends education and philanthropy, which can widen the audience beyond traditional donors. - Founder and CEO Essence Harris Banks said the events represent hope, prevention and the future, and that early education can help create healthier families and communities.

What's next: - Heart N Hands is seeking sponsors, ticket buyers, auction-item donors and charitable contributions ahead of the September events. - The organization said the events are expected to draw attendees committed to building a healthier future through education, prevention and community engagement. - Heart N Hands, now in its twelfth year, will continue expanding the Love Your Heart Wellness Program, scholarships, youth leadership development and community outreach. - The organization plans to keep focusing on girls ages 10-18 as part of its long-term prevention strategy.

The bottom line: - Heart N Hands is turning a two-day New Orleans event into a fundraising and awareness drive for girls’ heart health and prevention.