When Music Is the Best Medicine

At the end of September 2020, St. Elizabeth opened the doors to its state-of-the-art, six-story Cancer Center designed to meet the whole-person needs of patients on a regional and national level. Built by and for the community, the facility will serve as a living testament to those who have come before and the great work we've yet to do.

One such legacy the Center honors is that of Charles "Chuck" Gordon Reed III and Donald E. Clare, Jr., two local musicians who passed in 2017. Both were longtime performers with Suits That Rock, an annual fundraising concert that supports in-school, after-school and summer-camp art programming at The Carnegie in Covington.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Don and Chuck's memory, their love of music and their service to our community through the Cancer Center's Music Therapy Studio," said Carri Chandler, vice president of St. Elizabeth Foundation. "This studio exemplifies their lifelong passion for the arts and will serve as a resource for musical expression for patients and caregivers."

Research shows people living with cancer who engage in creative arts therapy experience less depression and anxiety than those who don't. Arts therapy provides a relaxing escape for patients and caregivers who embrace the creative process to express emotions. It also nurtures social interaction, which can relieve anxiety and enhance healing. The St. Elizabeth Cancer Center's Music Therapy Studio will bring music therapy to its inpatient and outpatient programs.

"During their combined 17-year tenure with Suits That Rock, Chuck and Don helped raise more than $1 million for arts education programming, allowing us to serve more students each year," said Kim Best, executive director of The Carnegie. "We are touched to know that Don and Chuck's memory will live on through the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center's Music Therapy Studio."

The owner and president of River City Productions, Chuck began playing guitar at age 12. For more than 40 years, he played with local and regional bands, including Strange Brew, The Nightlife Band and DV8, where he shared the stage with his wife and fellow Suits That Rock volunteer, Melissa Singer-Reed.

"Music was such an important part of Chuck's life," said Melissa. "When he was approached to be a part of Suits That Rock, he was so excited to volunteer. Not only was he performing with his friends, but he also had the opportunity to raise critical dollars for local youth arts programs."

Don built his career around helping others as an emergency room nurse, both at The Christ Hospital and St. Elizabeth, before retiring in 2015. He began singing and playing drums at age 16 and performed with a long list of bands, including Calico Rose and the Corryville Cowboys and The Buffalo Brothers. A resident of Rabbit Hash, he devoted much of his life to the preservation of the town and other historic sites in Boone County.

"In addition to all of his volunteer efforts, Don loved performing with Suits That Rock—even though you would rarely catch him in a suit," said his wife, Sue Clare. "Don would want nothing more than to see his legacy of music live on in a place where he spent a majority of his time—St. Elizabeth."

In this season of gratitude, we are thankful for every member of this community who has supported the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center and made it what it is today: a building with a heartbeat that will transform our community for generations to come.

For questions about how you can make an impact within the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, please contact St. Elizabeth Foundation at (859) 301-3920 or stefoundation@stelizabeth.com.