"You're watching event. "You're watching 7@four on your hometown station, WDBJ7." February is Heart Month-- and that means its time for the American Heart Association's annual Heart Ball. This community's not letting a pandemic stop it from having heart- I spoke with one organizer to find out more. Jean: I'm joined today by Lindsey Williams with the American Heart Association to talk about this year's heart ball. Lindsey thanks for being here. The heart ball is Saturday night and it's virtual. Tell me about it. Are people going to wear Red? Lindsey Williams: Yes, we are having a virtual heart ball. It's going to be February 13th from 7 til 8 p.m. We're still going to have guests dress up in red and share their photos on Facebook from comfort of their homes and their couch this year. Jean : Is the goal this year different than past years? How much hoping to raise Saturday night? We hope to raise total $150,000 and we're already at $100,000 of that goal, so we hope Saturday night we raise the 50 thousand left. Jean: It's hard to believe a year ago Robin and I were at the Hotel Roanoke with hundreds of people at the Heart Ball. This year the need is still there, even though we're in a pandemic. Maybe even more so right? Lindsey: Absolutely, We're seeing with research that forty percent of patients are going in have already been pre-disposed to heart disease or stroke. Research is really what's helping. We've been able to help with $2. 5 million in research grants to see repercussions in cardiovascular disease in those COVID patients and also we're seeing some patients who've gone in with COVID and they're coming out with heart complications as well. Jean: I know part of the heart ball is an auction and I know you're still going to have that so what are some of the items up for auction this year? LW: We are doing an all online auction. We're giving away a two trip to Fiji a resort called Ruwaiza resort. We have Disney passes as well. and we also have a wonderful old school Rolls Royce that will take you to the Hotel Roanoke with your sweetheart for Valentine's Day and you can grab dinner with friends. Jean: Wow, that sounds very cool and as always you're going to have some You're going to have some speakers too. Who will be speaking? Lindsey: Our keynote speaker is Dr. Michael Friedlander with the Fralin biomedical research institute at VTC. We're also going to have a fun Healthy cooking demo with Nate from Bloom restaurant. Jean: Oh, that will be nice I always look forward to heart healthy recipes. I'm sure he's going to whip up something really tasty. Lindsey thanks for being here.Tell people if they want to register how do they register? They can go to RoanokeHeartBall.heart.org and you're able to register for the auction and the heart ball itself. Jean: Alright and be ready to wear red and have some fun all at the same time. Lindsey thanks for taking the time to talk about the heart ball. We appreciate it. Lindsey: Thank you.