Gala Dedicates New Children's Hospital

New facility resembles an aquarium and a planetarium and houses plenty of donations from Chicago's cultural landmarks

The Windy City became Tinseltown Friday night when several celebrities were on hand for the opening of the new Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.

The new facility resembles an aquarium and a planetarium and houses plenty of donations from Chicago's cultural landmarks.

Ann Lurie gave a $100 million gift to the new hospital, the largest charitable investment received in the hospital's 125-year history.

Lurie was once a critical care nurse at Children's Memorial, said that her experiences as both an employee and a parent of six children -- several of whom were treated at Children's Memorial -- influenced her to make this gift.

"I know that sort of feeling of panic as a parent knowing that there's something wrong and you need help to fix it," said.

Among the well-known people who attended Friday's event were Sarah Jessica Parker, David Axelrod, Scottie Pippen, Lovie Smith, Harry Connick Jr. and Bonnie Hunt.

At 23 stories, the hospital is the tallest pediatric medical center in the world. A new garden named after former Mayor Richard Daley's late son was dedicated earlier this week.

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