YOUNGSTOWN — This year’s American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball will be presented Sunday as a virtual event and on television, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current health climate.

Transitioning to a telecast enables the entire viewing audience to participate in mobile bidding on the many silent auction items, as well as the premier package portion of the auction program, organizers said.

Premier auction packages include a Nemacolin Woodlands Resort gift card for $1,000 plus a night’s stay; an Aqua Pazzo tasting party for eight, with Fab Limo; a Vernon’s gourmet dinner for eight; and two $2,500 gift cards for Komara Jewelers.

“We are grateful for all the dedication of our volunteers and appreciate the sacrifices they make to support our events. These events will be back, but in the meantime, with courage, determination and some innovation, we will continue (our) mission by supporting cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and researchers through digital experiences and other virtual fundraising opportunities,” said Sarah Wells, American Cancer Society North Central Region vice president.

New this year to the array of auction items are gift cards to Youngstown’s dining experience Bistro 1907 by Mark Canzonetta coupled with three jars of Jeff Canzonetta’s hot peppers and sets of china provided by John Miles and Steelite International.

The event will be presented in cooperation with Valley Spotlight in a special commercial-free edition at 4 p.m. Sunday on WBCB and streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.

Join the ball virtually by registering at https://give cancertheboot.ggo.bid/.

Hosted by Lauren Lindvig and Mike Case, the program will feature many of the familiar aspects of the Cattle Baron’s Ball, including cancer survivor spotlights, medical honoree profile, musical interludes, an auction and more.

Community philanthropists Doug and Patricia Sweeney will serve as the honorary chairs. Doug is the president of Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, and Patricia recently retired as the health commissioner for Mahoning County Public Health.

The medical honoree is Dr. Thomas Chirichella, medical director at the Mercy Health Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center.

Survivor honoree Robin Daprile is the owner of Robin Daprile Personal Training Services and is a two-year survivor of breast cancer.

Also returning as special guests are Brett Wilcox, 2012 survivor honoree, and Ava Timko, 2013 survivor honoree.

The event chairs are Carole Weimer and Annette Camacci. The event is made possible through the support of the presenting sponsor Mercy Health. Additional major sponsors are GemYoung Insurance and Friends of the Sweeneys.

Additional key sponsors are Hollywood Gaming, The Muransky Companies, Simon Roofing, Richard and Susan Sokolov, Mercy Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Center, and Komara Jewelers.

Individuals or organizations wishing to provide a sponsorship can contact the American Cancer Society at 330.318.4107, or kelly.sobotka@cancer.org or visit www.youngstowncattlebaronsball.org.