Seeing legendary Fleetwood Mac songstress Stevie Nicks rock out at City National Grove of Anaheim usually wouldn’t be an occasion for black tie and designer gowns, but this late-October evening was unique: It was St. Joseph Hospital’s annual fundraising event, which raised a record-breaking $575,000 to support mental health care. The proceeds will help the hospital add 12 desperately needed beds for geropsychiatric patients and another 12 for those with chemical dependency and substance abuse issues.
The 600 guests who attended the 2016 Tracy Family Celebration (presented by Ron and Marsha Moeller) enjoyed the usual silent auctions, raffle drawings and fine dining experience you expect at grand galas. But it was also a time to reflect on those whose suffering too often goes unaided. Mental illness is a brain disease,” said committee member Cynthia Tracy in an impassioned speech. “We fundraise for diabetes and different types of cancers, but we need to raise more awareness about brain disorders and break the stigma” of mental illness.
Robert and Debbie del Junco and David and Ruth Seigle went home with the Spirit of St. Joseph Award, honoring their support as donors. Closing the evening, Nicks sang an abbreviated set from her new tour. “I’ll never forget you,” she told St. Joseph supporters.
