Hearts of Gold

Bi-Annual Hearts of Gold Ball

| 2016 Q1 | story by JANICE EARLY | photos by STEVEN HERTZOG

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

Every two years, Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) Endowment Association hosts the community’s only black-tie event, with proceeds designated to benefit a specific need of the hospital.

This year, on the evening of April 8, the Hearts of Gold Ball will benefit cardiovascular services at LMH. Cardiac care opened at LMH in August 2004, and since then, patients have received world-class cardiac care right here in Lawrence. After 10 years of providing interventional cardiology, 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,” says 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 alone, 457 patients visited our 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.

At LMH, the so-called “door-to-balloon time” is short. LMH ranks first among 932 hospitals of similar size for the amount of time it takes between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and when his or her artery is opened. LMH also has been named a Top Performer by The Joint Commission for both heart attack and heart failure, and has performed in the top 5 percent of all community hospitals.

Once planned renovations are complete, the Cath lab will offer more room, comfort and privacy for patients and their families.

“At LMH, we believe that patients and their families belong together whenever possible,” says Kathy Clausing-Willis, LMH vice president and chief development officer.

And technological improvements will also make an impact. 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.

Now, the LMH Endowment Association is asking the community join with the hospital to further strengthen cardiac services.

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

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 volunteers has kicked into high gear to ensure the 2016 Hearts of Gold will be an evening to remember thanks in large part to the generosity of Corpus Christi.

The April 8 event 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 Ball is “Black and White.” And although it is a black-tie affair, no one is limited to black or white attire.

“It’s spring,” says Tiffany Hall, annual giving manager for the LMH Endowment Association. “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 Tiffany Hall for assistance at tiffany.hall@lmh.org or 785-505-3318.



— Tickets are available at HeartsOfGoldBall.com