McNally and Ryznar Co-chair 2020 Tri-County Heart Ball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Husband and wife, Jeff Ryznar and Dr. Meredythe McNally, will co-chair the American Heart Association’s 2020 Tri-County Heart Ball on April 4.
Ryznar, founder of 898 Marketing, Canfield, was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia when he was 19 years old. He and McNally, chief of staff at Salem Regional Medical Center, have seen the impact of heart disease on their relatives and friends, including Ryznar’s grandfather, who inspired the name of his agency. 898 celebrated its five year anniversary this year.
“The company’s name was influenced by an encounter with my grandfather when I was just 3 years old,” Ryznar says. “He had me point to three numbers, which happened to be 8-9-8, and he played them in the lottery every day for me. He set up a bank account in my name where he’d put the winnings and told me when I was 16, he was going to buy me a truck and my own lawn care company to remind me that God gave us gift to share with others and that if we do it well enough, people will invest in you. My grandfather died of a heart attack four days before my 16th birthday on the front porch where he shared this story with me.”
McNally, a gastroenterologist, joined the Gastroenterology Center of Salem in 2013 after training at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and being on staff at the Cleveland Clinic.
“We were a part of the 2019 American Heart Association Northeast Ohio Golf Scramble last year and really appreciated the impact the organization was having locally,” McNally says. “They’re not just looking for dollars. They’re approaching the needs of the community and asking people to be involved in that. We felt welcomed and that we were making a difference. So when we were asked to chair the 2020 Heart Ball, we both felt called to say, ‘yes.’ ”
The 2020 Tri-County Heart Ball is scheduled for April 4 at the Waypoint 4180 at Kennsington. The Heart Ball is the American Heart Association’s premier social event to celebrate survivors and the lifesaving achievements of local physicians, philanthropists and volunteers, according to a press release. Through events like the Heart Ball, the American Heart Association is funding local and national research, along with prevention and education programs.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of all of us,” Ryznar said. “Risk factors like stress and blood pressure put all people at high risk. This disease has no prejudice. It has no barriers. It has no boundaries as to who it impacts, directly and indirectly. However, there are also no limitations as to how we can fight back and do our part as a community to help edcuate, heal and help prevent and reduce the impact it has in the Mahoning Valley.”
Pictured: Jeff Ryznar and Dr. Meredythe McNally, will co-chair the American Heart Association’s 2020 Tri-County Heart Ball on April 4.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
