ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Hundreds of attendees will join the American Heart Association for the 52nd Ohio Valley Heart Ball set for Saturday at the Belmont Hills Country Club, 47080 National Road, St Clairsville.

This special event helps raise life-saving funds for the association’s mission in the region, from groundbreaking research to helpful public education and outreach.

Last year’s theme was masquerade and raised nearly $100,000, said Michelle Loehr, development director of the American Heart Association.

The event will include a live and silent auction. There will also be live music from the K Street Band. This year’s Heart Ball chairman and chairwoman are John and Melissa Rataiczak. All proceeds from the event will benefit the mission of the American Heart Association.

The ball begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues until midnight. Representatives from the business and medical community in the region will be in attendance, as well as members of the general public.

Silver Sponsors include: Wheeling Hospital, Belmont College, Belmont Savings Bank, Home Savings Charitable Foundation, Trinity Health Systems and WesBanco.

Bronze Sponsors include Capstone Holding Company, Harvey Goodman Realtor and Unified Bank. Friends of Heart Sponsors are Steptoe & Johnson, RECO Equipment and Milleson Insurance Agency, LLC.

“The theme is “Extra,” incorporating Leap Day and the extra day we get this year to live a healthy, happy life!,” according to information provided by Heart Ball committee.

“February is American Heart Month and this event serves as a capstone for it. Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of Americans; stroke remains No. 5.”