Photo by Alison Conklin
Leading up to her current role as the executive director of the American Heart Association (AHA) of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Berks Area, Abby Silfies has always spent time working with other charitable organizations that were close to her heart. “I saw the level of reward that came from a hard day’s work and found myself getting more and more involved over the years,” she says.
AHA was founded in June 1924 by a group of pioneering physicians and social workers who believed that people diagnosed with heart disease were not immediately destined to death. Fast-forward 100 years, and AHA is still working relentlessly to help support those battling heart disease and stroke.
“In the Lehigh Valley and Berks counties, we work alongside our health care systems, school districts and community liaisons to ensure the mission of the AHA and our dedication to providing tools and education,” says Silfies.
Her role as executive director means no two days are the same. “I work to fund our mission through three staple campaigns: the Heart Walk, the Heart Ball and our Go Red for Women campaign and luncheon,” says Silfies, noting she also works hand in hand with their staff and volunteers to facilitate awareness days and months. “The people, the stories, the mission, the results and the drive towards ‘longer, healthier lives’ are enough to keep me pushing forward every day,” says Silfies. “My heart is full from a day’s work at the AHA.”
