The Keep Young Hearts Beating ball raised over $47,000 for genetic heart disease research.

Following the tragic death of a much-loved husband and father of two young children, Anton, friends rallied together to form the Keep Young Hearts Beating committee to help make a difference. Anton died unexpectedly from a genetic heart condition known as Long QT syndrome at just 33 and the members of the Committee were keen to help other families avoid a similar loss.

To help raise critical funds for research into Long QT Syndrome and other genetic heart diseases, the Keep Young Hearts Beating committee held their first fundraising ball on Saturday 8 October in the Grand Ballroom at Taronga Zoo.

Guests at this amazing event dressed in black tie with a touch of Zebra in honour of Anton’s South African upbringing. Keep Young Hearts Beating committee member Katie Patterson said she was overwhelmed and touched by the generous response they had from the event supporters and guests.

The Young Hearts Fundraising Ball has raised much-needed funds for the Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology (The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney) to support research into genetic heart diseases in people under 35 including the National Genetic Heart Disease Registry.

Professor Chris Semsarian, Head of the Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, said: “I am truly honoured to be the chosen charity for this wonderful event set up by an amazing group of people in memory of their friend.

“The vital funds raised from this ball will help us improve our understanding of genetic heart disease, especially in young people like Anton. We hope to use this understanding to develop new ways to treat these conditions and prevent sudden cardiac death.”

To donate online visit http://www.keepyoungheartsbeating.com