by Mary K. Sheehan, MSN, MBA, RN

On Sunday, October 18, Voices for Hospice, presented by Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, will raise the roof at Techny Chapel with songs performed by a diverse group of local musicians. This blending of talents offers a compilation of varying music, stories and joyous expression. 

Music is a vital part of life and offers each of us a way of expressing ourselves and our unique backgrounds. It is enjoyed by people of all ages and at any stage of their lives. And, music continues to be an important part of life even to individuals facing the end of life. The Midwest CareCenter Music Care Services program includes music therapy, which uses music to help hospice patients and families express emotions, reminisce, and even write songs, and music-thanatology, which uses harps and voice at the bedside to alleviate a patient’s physical symptoms. These services are available at no cost to our hospice patients.

Benefiting the organization’s Music Care Services program for hospice patients, Voices for Hospice will feature local performers from: Church of the Holy Spirit Senior Choir; Kaleidoscope, a select ensemble from Woodlands Academy; the Kol Simcha Youth Choir from Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim; Megon McDonough, renowned folk singer; the Midwest CareCenter Music Care Services Team; and Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir.

Tickets are $10 each; $25 per family. You can purchase tickets by visiting www.carecenter.org/voices, calling (847) 556-1910 or buying tickets at the door on event day. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.; general admission seating; free parking.

Glenview-based Midwest CareCenter is a nonprofit, community-based healthcare organization providing hospice, palliative care and grief support services to residents in north/northwest Chicago, the north suburbs and Lake County. Founded as Hospice of the North Shore in 1978, the organization has provided care and support for more than 30 years.

The concert is offered by the organization’s Community Center for Learning, which has been dedicated in memory of Ann Benedek Frank by the Crown family.

Mary K. Sheehan, MSN, MBA, RN, is president and CEO of Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter.