The numbers are in! Nearly 400 community and business leaders walked the red carpet in style on Saturday, Feb. 13 for the 2016 Roanoke Heart Ball’s “A Night at the Oscars.” In addition to camera flashbulbs, spotlights and elegance, guests celebrated lives saved, raising $111,000 for research and prevention education, and making a stand against heart disease and stroke in our community.
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 killers of both men and women in the United States. Diseases of the Heart also rank No. 1 killer in Roanoke and Roanoke County. However, the power of prevention is real. Eighty percent of heart disease and strokes are preventable by monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose and making heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
Michael Gallagher, a local heart disease survivor, Eric Russ, living with congenital heart disease, and Martha Parrott, a local stroke survivor, were recognized as the 2016 Roanoke Heart Ball Open Your Heart honorees.
This year’s co-chairs, Curtis Burchett and Sonya Dickinson of MKB Realtors, Dr. Timothy & Mandy Ball, and Lynne Pearo, have led a team of local executives to raise funds and put together this unique and elegant black-tie affair. The evening included a silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind art pieces, food/wine packages and great trips, a live auction by Woltz, a gourmet dinner, and dancing to live music by The Wallers.
The 2016 Roanoke Heart Ball is supported by Signature Sponsors Burchett – Dickinson and MKB Realtors, Auction Sponsor Haywood’s Jewelers and Ambassador of Heart Sponsor, Carilion Clinic.