The American Heart Association will celebrate its Lubbock Heart Ball on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at the Texas Tech University Merket Alumni Center. The event begins at 6:30pm, followed by a seafood dinner and both a silent and live auction at 7:45pm. At 8:45pm, the Open Your Heart Appeal will begin with dancing immediately following.

The Lubbock Heart Ball attracts several hundred of the city and state’s community leaders in medicine and business and is the Association’s premiere fundraising event in the region. The featured “Open Your Heart” speakers of the evening are Ron Roberts, known to many for not only his weather coverage all across the South Plains, but for his courageous triumph of overcoming a severe stroke in 2006, and Xavier Ramirez, who was in critical condition after he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during a Slaton football game back in October.

“For 90 years now, the American Heart Association has pursued the mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke,” said Ron Roberts, event spokesman.  “The Heart Ball is great way for local presenters, sponsors, and community members to continue fundraising efforts in support of the organization’s mission.”

Contributions received at the Heart Ball support the American Heart Association’s research, education, and advocacy efforts.  The American Heart Association currently funds over $123 million for research and programs nationwide, making the AHA second only to the federal government in funding cardiovascular and
stroke research. Over $1.2 million is currently funded in Lubbock.

The 2016 Lubbock Heart Ball is presented by the Lubbock Heart Hospital, Cardiologists of Lubbock and Northstar Surgical Center. Additional local support comes from Alderson Cadillac, City Bank, Garrison Geriatric Education and Care Center, Interim Home Care and Hospice, South Plains Biomedical Services, Aerocare, American National Bank, Calvert Home Healthcare, Caprock Oral Surgery, Covenant Health System , Hart Moving and Storage, Lubbock National Bank, Lubbock Surgical Associates, LLP, South Plains Health Care Consulting, Superior Health Plan, Republic National Distributing Company, and the Texas Tech University Office of the Provost.

Individual tickets can be purchased online for $150 each and a sponsorship table for 8 people can be purchased for $2,500; visit lubbockheartball.heart.org for details.

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org

(News release from the American Heart Association in Lubbock)