Gilchrist Music Therapy Virtual Fundraising Event: All You Need Is Love
In February 2019, the Gilchrist music therapy program created a one of a kind event to bring awareness of our work and raise much-needed funds to support our program. The All You Need Is Love event was a resounding success, and in 2020, we were able to raise $20,000 in one evening. This year, we will celebrate the lives and music of those we serve with a virtual fundraising event.
2020 brought many challenges for the music therapy program, but we did not waiver in our mission to bring music and comfort to those who need it most. Like so many in the healthcare field, we quickly had to adapt. For the first time, we used telehealth to continue visits to those most vulnerable and learned to play and sing wearing full PPE. And despite the barriers the pandemic created, the music therapy team was even able to start a new component to our care by joining the Integrative and Palliative Medicine service to provide music therapy to inpatients at GBMC.
Since starting the music therapy program almost nine years ago, Gilchrist has remained committed to supporting this work so that music therapy can be offered to all patients. Our program has grown from one music therapist in 2012 to three full-time music therapists. Our internship program is flourishing, and while many other programs across the country have closed due to the pandemic, Gilchrist remains committed to training the future therapists of tomorrow.
Despite sentiments like, “I couldn’t have imagined my hospice experience without music therapy,” our program remains one that is not reimbursed by insurance. Someone recently asked me, “Why have you stayed at Gilchrist so long?” The answer is simple. Because Gilchrist has fully committed to supporting the critical work of the music therapy program by ensuring that we stay funded.
And although our annual event cannot take place in person, we have created a virtual experience that will surely inspire and bring joy. We hope our patient stories, musical selections and therapist interviews will make you realize that “all you DO need is love and music therapy.”
The Gilchrist music therapy program would not be possible without the generosity and thoughtfulness of our donors and supporters. I am often asked, “How can I help?” My response is, “No amount is too small.” All donations to the music therapy program go directly back into making our care possible. All we have accomplished over the past nine years is because of you!
So please consider joining us on Saturday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m., right from the comfort and safety of your own home. Registration is free, and sponsorships are available. This year, we present our virtual fundraising event in your honor, and in memory of all those who so lovingly welcomed us along in their final journey.
To learn more about this event and register, visit gilchristcares.org/allyouneedislove.
