The second annual Time Is Muscle event this past weekend drew a full house and a sea of red – a color worn in solidarity for the cause in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Time is Muscle is a fundraising and awareness-building event for enhanced cardiac care in Red Deer.

Another primary purpose of the event is to raise awareness for the need for a cardiac catheterization lab at the Red Deer Regional Hospital and for hospital expansion in general.

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure to unblock coronary arteries that feed the heart.

“We would like to thank the Central Alberta community for its generosity and support for improved cardiac care in our region,” said Harley Hay who directed the event with Vanessa Higgins-Nogareda.

“We sincerely hope guests enjoyed the heart-themed dinner, show, dance and H’Art Gallery! We would like to thank the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation for their partnership, title sponsors Joan and John Donald, platinum sponsors the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel and Dr. Gustavo Nogareda.

“The event would not have been a success without its many dedicated volunteers; special appreciation to Brooke Gamache, Patty Harvey and Norana Hedlund. Gratitude to the Heartbeats band for making the show so memorable!”

Organizers said that $54,000 was generously donated in the form of silent auction items to raise funds in addition to a 50-50 and vacation raffle.

An awareness video entitled It’s About Time by Harley Hay Studios also emphasized the need for a Cardiac catheterization lab and Red Deer Hospital expansion.

The issue was well described on the video by patients, family members, physicians and concerned community members.

The Heartbeats Band produced by Hay and Dave Parfett rocked the night away with songs each containing heart in the title from each era, accompanied by a video montage of images and icons of those periods.

The Sheraton Red Deer hotel served a delicious heart-themed meal, organizers said.

The H’Art gallery also featured 16 local artists and over 160 pieces of various mediums including paintings (three of which were live), photography, ceramics, glassworks, jewelry, and wearable art.

A memory wall was also erected in honour of those who have passed away from cardiovascular disease by way of photos and name cards.