Wake Forest Athletics
Forbes and Wife Named Open Your Heart Honorees
4/23/2024 9:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest men's basketball head coach Steve Forbes and his wife, Johnetta, have been named the Open Your Heart honorees for the annual Triad Heart Ball for the American Heart Association (AHA).
As has been documented on social media and in the news, Johnetta Forbes suffered a stroke August 8, 2023, and has been making vast improvements in her recovery over the past nine months.
"My wife, Johnetta, and I are honored to be the Open Your Heart recipients at this year's Triad Heart Ball," head coach Steve Forbes said. "Since Johnetta suffered a stroke on Aug. 8, 2023, we have received an incredible amount of support from friends, family, the Wake Forest community and the entire Triad. Now more than ever we recognize the importance of education and action and the purpose of the American Heart Association. We want to thank you all for your support and look forward to spending a special evening with everyone."
Celebrating 100 years of saving and improving lives, the AHA launches new strategies to build on that success for the next century with this vision statement as its guide: Advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
"As Chairman of the 2024 Triad Heart Ball, it's my pleasure to thank Johnetta and Steve Forbes for sharing their heart story with us. I have had the good fortune to be associated with Wake Forest University, and the Wake Forest basketball program for 21 years, and we are lucky to have such great ambassadors and role models for heart health and for the mission of the American Heart Association," said Dr. James Hoekstra, president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center.
Each year, the American Heart Association selects a family or individual from the Triad community to be recognized as the Open Your Heart honorees. These honorees are local heart disease or stroke survivors that are willing to share their story the night of the Triad Heart Ball in an effort to increase awareness around heart disease and stroke, educate guests on the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, and to help raise critical funding for the American Heart Association to continue its work supporting cardiovascular research and community impact programs.
The American Heart Associations is currently funding $5.3 million in cardiovascular research right here in the Triad. The next discovery to prevent or fight stroke could come right from the Triad.
The American Heart Association, along with volunteers, supporters and collaborating organizations, has worked to build longer, healthier lives. And there's no letting up in the next 100 years as they remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
The American Stroke Association (ASA) was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. The ASA works to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities, with a focus on preventing, treating and beating stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public's health, and providing lifesaving resources.
A stroke is a life-changing event – physically and emotionally. Every stroke is unique – and so is every recovery. As a trusted resource, the ASA provides the latest evidence-based information on stroke, post-stroke recovery, caregiver information, and tools, resources and education for health care professionals.
To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org.
As has been documented on social media and in the news, Johnetta Forbes suffered a stroke August 8, 2023, and has been making vast improvements in her recovery over the past nine months.
"My wife, Johnetta, and I are honored to be the Open Your Heart recipients at this year's Triad Heart Ball," head coach Steve Forbes said. "Since Johnetta suffered a stroke on Aug. 8, 2023, we have received an incredible amount of support from friends, family, the Wake Forest community and the entire Triad. Now more than ever we recognize the importance of education and action and the purpose of the American Heart Association. We want to thank you all for your support and look forward to spending a special evening with everyone."
Celebrating 100 years of saving and improving lives, the AHA launches new strategies to build on that success for the next century with this vision statement as its guide: Advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
"As Chairman of the 2024 Triad Heart Ball, it's my pleasure to thank Johnetta and Steve Forbes for sharing their heart story with us. I have had the good fortune to be associated with Wake Forest University, and the Wake Forest basketball program for 21 years, and we are lucky to have such great ambassadors and role models for heart health and for the mission of the American Heart Association," said Dr. James Hoekstra, president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center.
Each year, the American Heart Association selects a family or individual from the Triad community to be recognized as the Open Your Heart honorees. These honorees are local heart disease or stroke survivors that are willing to share their story the night of the Triad Heart Ball in an effort to increase awareness around heart disease and stroke, educate guests on the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, and to help raise critical funding for the American Heart Association to continue its work supporting cardiovascular research and community impact programs.
The American Heart Associations is currently funding $5.3 million in cardiovascular research right here in the Triad. The next discovery to prevent or fight stroke could come right from the Triad.
The American Heart Association, along with volunteers, supporters and collaborating organizations, has worked to build longer, healthier lives. And there's no letting up in the next 100 years as they remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
The American Stroke Association (ASA) was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. The ASA works to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities, with a focus on preventing, treating and beating stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public's health, and providing lifesaving resources.
A stroke is a life-changing event – physically and emotionally. Every stroke is unique – and so is every recovery. As a trusted resource, the ASA provides the latest evidence-based information on stroke, post-stroke recovery, caregiver information, and tools, resources and education for health care professionals.
To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org.
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