The OSF Saint James Foundation is hosting Party Heart-y to the sounds of Libido Funk Circus, March 10 at the Crystal Palace in Pontiac, Illinois, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The proceeds of the dance party will benefit the new OSF Saint James Sleep and Pulmonology Center to be located in Pontiac. All the money raised from Party Heart-y will support a four-bed sleep center, a pulmonology clinic, and an outpatient pulmonary testing area. The sleep center will be a new service for OSF Saint James and the Pontiac community.

The entertainment for the evening is Libido Funk Circus or LFC from Chicago. Libido Funk Circus was originally formed in 1996 as an over-the-top tribute to the Disco music of the 70's, and has been relentlessly entertaining a wide range of audiences since its inception. While they continue to play favorite disco hits, the addition of hundreds of dance and rock songs, spanning from the 60's through today, has literally turned LFC into a human jukebox.

LFC has mastered the hits of good old Motown days to the bass-thumping beats of today's dance music, and has it "covered" along with all the tools to make a room move all night long! If you're looking for a great evening of dancing and entertainment, this is it! Libido Funk Circus will deliver a high-energy, musical tour de force that will keep you rockin' all night long!

The dance party event sponsors are the Crystal Palace, Mario's Pizza and Bernardi's II, all of Pontiac. The $20.00 ticket will include a buffet of casual food, such as pizza by Mario's, their famous nachos and delicious pasta and salad served by Bernardi's II. A cash bar will be available. The night will also feature silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, and is open to the public.

The chairs of Party Heart-y are Tom Kahle, Executive Vice President of Heartland Bank, Chenoa and his wife Patty; Denise Pettit, co-owner of Family Eye Care; and Marilyn Oelschlager, 2nd Vice President of OSF Saint James Auxiliary. Tickets may be purchased through the OSF Saint James Foundation, the Auxiliary Gift Shop, Information Desk at the medical center, Family Eye Care, Mario’s Pizza, Bernardi's II, and Heartland Bank of Chenoa. Dress is casual.

The proceeds from the event will help those in the community "sleep easier." The sleep equipment used at the new sleep center will diagnose and effectively treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea or OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apneas) is typically caused by soft tissues blocking the airway passage, and CSA (Central Sleep Apnea) is a temporary lapse in breathing caused by interruptions in signals from the brain.

OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea and is found in adult men and women. Higher percentages of patients with chronic diseases also have obstructive sleep apnea. OSA is common in patients who have experienced heart disease or stroke. Obesity is also a high risk factor.  Studies have found that approximately 70% of obese patients have OSA and literature review also maintains that sleep apnea is widely under diagnosed.

According to Tim Johnson, Executive Director of Critical Care and Emergency Services, "Many of our patients requiring moderate to complex pulmonary services are transferred out of the community. Pulmonologist presence will enhance our ability to care for these patients, through staff education, medical direction, and competencies. Collaboration of specialists and physicians, primarily the pulmonologists and cardiologists with our hospitalists, assure that we are providing the highest level of care possible in our community."

Silent auction items are both welcomed and encouraged by the general public. For every basket donated with an approximate value of $100.00 and up, the donor will receive four free tickets to the event.

The silent auction basket must be wrapped in clear cellophane and contain a list of items that are enclosed, along with the names of the donors or department. The approximate value of the entire basket should also be included.  The deadline for donations is February 28. Basket Donations Forms are available through the OSF Saint James Foundation. For more information, contact Susan Karls at (815) 842-6827 or Amy Mullady at (815) 842-6808.