Dale Denning and Kristen Harms show off their dance moves while Billy Ebeling and the Late for Dinner Band provide music at the Hearts of Gold Ball, held May 10, 2014, at the Lawrence Journal-World press building, 608 Massachusetts St. The ball, which is held every two years, serves as a fundraiser for Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

At Lawrence Memorial Hospital, they’re putting some heart in the 2016 Hearts of Gold Ball.

Every two years Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association hosts the community’s only black-tie event, with proceeds designated to benefit a specific need of the hospital. This year, on April 8, the Hearts of Gold will benefit cardiovascular services at LMH.

After 10 years of providing interventional cardiology services, LMH officials have determined the time is right to renovate the Heart Catheterization Lab and further enhance cardiovascular services.

“This project, which will benefit our patients and their families, will cost nearly $2 million,” said Gary Sollars, president of the LMH Endowment Association. “That is why we decided the Hearts of Gold Ball would be a perfect time to underscore the importance of receiving cardiac care at home.”

Last year, 457 patients had procedures in the Cath Lab, and patients made 9,062 visits to Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence.

In the Heart Catheterization Lab, LMH cardiologists use specialized equipment to visualize the arteries and chambers of patients’ hearts and address any problems. When a patient is suffering a heart attack, time is of the essence, and LMH cardiologists work with clinical staff to ensure patients’ needs are addressed quickly.

Sollars said: “We are so proud that we have top-flight cardiologists here at the hospital who are prepared, 24 hours a day — every day — to provide the best care possible to our community members, our neighbors.”

Once planned renovations are complete, the Cath Lab will offer more room, comfort and privacy for patients and their families. Kathy Clausing-Willis, LMH vice president and chief development officer, said: “At LMH, we believe that patients and their families belong together, whenever possible.”

Technological improvements will make an impact on patients and staff. New, state-of-the-art equipment will further reduce exposure to radiation for patients, as well as LMH’s interventional cardiologists and staff, and it will provide higher-quality images.

In 2014, the Hearts of Gold Ball was held in the former pressroom at the Lawrence Journal-World and raised funds for the LMH Fourth Floor renovation project. The event raised a half-million dollars toward a $4.2 million project that included a complete overhaul of the acute rehabilitation and transitional care units, located on the fourth floor of LMH. That renovation is complete.

Now, an army of community volunteers has kicked into high gear to ensure the 2016 Hearts of Gold will be an evening to remember.

“At the Hearts of Gold Ball, we can show our support for cardiovascular services, all while having fun,” Sollars said.

The April 8 event is at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Parkway, and will kick off at 6:45 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction. The evening will close with dancing to the music of Dave Halston and The Little Big Band. The theme of this year’s Hearts of Gold is “Black and White.” And although it is a black-tie affair, no one is limited to black or white attire.

Tiffany Hall, annual giving manager for the Endowment Association, explained: “It’s spring. We want to celebrate the season while having a wonderful time and showing support for our world-class cardiovascular team.”

To attend the 2016 Hearts of Gold Ball, visit heartsofgoldball.com or contact Hall at tiffany.hall@lmh.org or 785-505-3318.

— This article was provided by Lawrence Memorial Hospital, a major sponsor of WellCommons. For more information, visit lmh.org.