Photo Flash: James Naughton Hosts The Marfan Foundation's 15th Heartworks

The Marfan Foundation honored Isaiah Austin, the former Baylor University basketball star, and Carolyn Levering, Emeritus CEO of The Marfan Foundation, with its 2015 Hero with a Heart Award at the 15th Heartworks last night, April 16, in New York City. Michael Bloomberg, Jill Martin, & Walt Clyde Frazier were in attendance, enjoying entertainment by Broadway's Megan Hilty. Tony Award winner James Naughton acted as emcee. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The gala benefited The Marfan Foundation, which provides education, patient support, and research to create a brighter future for people living with Marfan syndrome and related disorders. The gala honored Ms. Levering for her 20 years of service to the Foundation as President and CEO. Under her leadership, The Marfan Foundation grew from a small grassroots support organization to a vital nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to creating a brighter future for the 200,000 people in the U.S. living with Marfan syndrome and related disorders.

Austin, a potential first draft selection in the 2014 NBA draft, was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome just a few days before the draft and had to stop playing basketball. Nevertheless, the NBA made him a ceremonial draft pick. Since then, he has become an inspiration to members of The Marfan Foundation, especially the children and teens, who admire him for how he has embraced the condition and brought it to the attention of the national media. The Foundation is honoring him for all he has done to raise the profile of the condition and inspire others who are affected.

Karen Murray, President, VF Sportswear, and Chair of the Board of The Marfan Foundation, was the event's corporate host. Michael R. Bloomberg is honorary chair for the 15th consecutive year. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was American director, theater, film and television actor, and Tony-Award winner James Naughton; WNBC-TV's chief meteorologist Janice Huff, and Knicks broadcaster and Today Show contributor Jill Martin, were also on-hand to help with the proceedings. Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Hall of Famer, former New York Knicks standout, and a New York icon, was one of the many special guests in attendance.

Special guests included several current members of the New York Knicks, including Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway, and actress, musician, and dancer Bebe Neuwirth.

Heartworks has raised more than $10 million for the Foundation to date. The proceeds from the event are earmarked for the Foundation's programs and services in the areas of education, patient support, and research.

Learn more and get involved at www.marfan.org.