Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health Honors Susan Lucci, Tim Morehouse and More at SPORTS BALL 2015 Tonight

The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health will host Sports Ball 2015, their 21st annual black tie & sneakers gala, tonight, October 21st at Guastavino's, 409 East 59th Street in New York City.

Susan Lucci, star of DEVIOUS MAIDS Emmy award-winner for ALL MY CHILDREN, New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur; Tim Morehouse, Olympic Medalist, Fencing, & Founder, Fencing in the Schools; Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Minority Quality Forum; Ivan D. Smith, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; and Dr. John F. Williams, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, will each be honored at Sports Ball with the Leadership Award. Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is also being honored for their global commitment to health and well-being.

Budd Mishkin, NY1 News Host and Cheryl Wills, award winning NY1 News Anchor and author, will host the gala.

"Our 21th annual gala is a milestone occasion and we are honored to celebrate it by honoring the legacy of our founder Arthur Ashe - the late tennis champion and humanitarian," says Ruth C. Browne, CEO of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. "Like Arthur, each of our honorees is a trailblazer and they exemplify their commitment to making the world a healthier and more equitable place."

The funds raised at Sports Ball support the Institute's innovative community health education programs and research initiatives. Arthur Ashe founded the Institute in 1992, in partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, just two months before his death from AIDS and in response to the disproportionate amount of illness and death in urban communities from preventable causes. Arthur knew that many diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, are the result of inadequate health care delivery, late detection and insufficient health education.

Leading sponsors for Sports Ball 2015 (list in formation) include American Express, AstraZeneca, BNY Mellon, Healthfirst, Korn Ferry, MetLife and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Each guest will receive a pair of Reebok sneakers compliments of the Institute. The evening includes interactive games, dinner, dancing, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and a silent auction.

Individual Sports Ball tickets are $1000 per person and tables are available for $10,000-$50,000. For additional information about Sports Ball and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, call 718-222-5953 or visit www.arthurasheinstitute.org.