Doctors take the stage for musical fundraiser

CEDAR RAPIDS - A group of Eastern Iowa doctors will trade their stethoscopes for guitars and drumsticks on Saturday, all for a good cause.

They'll sing and strum onstage to raise money for the Ronald McDonald Family Room currently under construction at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

St. Luke's Auxiliary and West Music teamed up to organize the 'Sounds of St. Luke's” fundraiser, which will help meet a $600,000 fundraising goal for the 1,200-square-foot space.

The Family Room, which will be located in a renovated wing of the hospital's Helen G. Nassif Center for Women's and Children's Health, will include three sleeping rooms, a kitchen, laundry room, living room space and two shower suites for families whose children are being treated in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Pediatric Unit. The hospital projects about 1,500 families will use the space each year.

To support the effort, doctors, as well as a few nurses, a dentist and some non-medical but supportive band members, will show off their musical talents.

The evening will feature seven acts, made up of 17 musicians playing everything from rock and roll to folk to classical music. Some are solo acts and others are part of already-established bands.

'We didn't have try outs or anything like that. We just sort of trusted these people would be outstanding,” event co-chair Nancy Mortimore said. 'And they are.”

This is the second year the auxiliary has hosted a 'doctor's recital” fundraiser. Making the Ronald McDonald Family Room this year's beneficiary was an easy choice, Mortimore said.

'It was a no brainer,” she said. 'Anything that involves children, you just want to do it.”

She said the family room model is a newer direction for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which have traditionally built free-standing houses, such as the Ronald McDonald House adjacent to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. The houses are meant to offer a home-away-from-home atmosphere for families whose children are hospitalized. The family room model will offer the same services for small and medium-sized hospitals such as St. Luke's.

Once the space is complete, the national Ronald McDonald House organization will fund the annual operating expenses, including employees. It is expected to open in January.

UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Foundation President Mary Klinger said over half the needed funds have been collected so far. Proceeds from Saturday's fundraiser will go toward a $100,000 pledge to the effort by St. Luke's Auxiliary.

If you go

' What: Sounds of St. Luke's benefit for Ronald McDonald Family Room

' Where: CSPS, 1103 Third St., SE

' When: Saturday; 6:30 p.m. cash bar, appetizers and a silent auction; 7:30 p.m. musical entertainment

Cost: $30-35

' Tickets: St. Luke's Auxiliary Office and St. Luke's Gift Shop, 1026 A Ave. NE, or by calling (319) 369-7804 or (319) 369-7328 or at West Music, 1398 Twixt Town Road, Marion or by calling (319) 377-9100.

Other ways to give

' Today is the annual Ronald McDonald House Day of Change fundraiser, as well as the 40th anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House. Community members can drop off their change at Ronald McDonald House Charities donation boxes at local McDonalds stores.

' Ronald McDonald House representatives will be at McDonalds locations in Iowa City and Coralville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today with games and prizes.

' To donate to the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital Family Room, call (319) 369-7716 or visit unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/foundation.