Ever wonder who created the giant heart that sits atop Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital?  Well, here’s the answer:

 Ed Hamilton, who has worked for Carilion Clinic for almost 41 years, along with the Strategic Development Department he is part of, came up with a concept to erect a giant Valentine heart atop Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Hamilton did the prototype drawing and a 30′x30′ frame was originally constructed in 2011 from conduit and galvanized pipe with steel cable. Roanoke’s blustery February winds took their toll, however, bending and breaking sections of the frame. Hamilton jokes that he suffered from “four broken hearts” during a two-week span. Carilion’s maintenance and engineering department, which is responsible for securing and maintaining the heart, was able to make repairs and keep the heart shining that first year. This year, the heart is supported by a new, sturdier frame constructed by Budget Signs that is designed to withstand gale force winds with a resistance up to 80 mph hitting the grid. The heart itself is constructed of LED Flex Neon, from a company based in Indianapolis, Ind., “LED Rope Lights and More.” The outer red band is 97.5-feet-long. The inner band is 95 feet long. The amount of energy to keep it illuminated from sunset to sunrise for the month of February as a Valentine’s decoration (and the added reminder that it is Heart Health month,) is the equivalent of burning four 60-watt light bulbs each night, according to Hamilton.  Photo by Stephanie Klein-Davis