A net total of more than $75,100 was raised during the annual Festival of Light, sponsored by the Foundation of Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
The event was held December 1 at West 14th Restaurant and featured a wide array of items that were sold at vocal and silent auctions. Included were four fully decorated Christmas trees, a trip toHawaii and a number of sports packages, in addition to decorative and holiday items.
Funds raised will be used to expand the Music Therapy program to the oncology area of Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to assist with physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for young and old, from premature infants to the elderly. When music therapy is offered as part of the overall cancer care program, cancer patients show decreased anxiety and depression, lowered pain perception and nausea, decreased fatigue, improved family communication and coping and improved quality of life. According to one cancer patient, “this was better than morphine.”
MinistrySaint Joseph’s Hospital has three board certified music therapists, who also provided musical entertainment for the evening.
“We couldn’t have raised these funds without the generosity of our many donors and supporters,” said Ann Boson, Foundation director. “We are blessed to have people from the community and the medical complex who recognize the effectiveness of musical therapy and the difference it makes to our patients.”