Rucker family gives $265,000 to MUSC for new children's hospital

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Darius Rucker performed for thousands of fans at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Tuesday night, but there was an even bigger item on his agenda that could affect even more people.

The star and his wife are giving more than $250,000 towards MUSC's new children's hospital.

"It's like a teenager who has outgrown it's clothing," said David Cole, President of MUSC. 

The 28-year-old children's hospital is outdated. That's why MUSC wants to make some big changes and build a $350 million state of the art hospital. 

"Part of it is about space of course. If you ever visited our Intensive Care Unit, they do a phenomenal job in very right cramped quarters," said Cole. 

The new facility will have up to 270 beds for intensive care unit patients, neonatal ICU patients, acute care patients and new and expectant mothers. The floor plan will also double the size of patient rooms in ICU.

"A child before they're born needs the best care possible. If someone's in a high risk situation, we need to have the continuity of care to get the children where they need to be," said Cole. 

"I love it because all of the doctors and nurses are just so cool and so funny. It's like a second family," said Zion Thomas, a patient at MUSC Children's Hospital. 

In order to make this all happen, MUSC needs millions of dollars in donations. That's where country star Darius Rucker and his wife step in. They presented a $265,000 check to MUSC.

"Kids are the future, but it is also they're the people who are most helpless. You try and help them as much as you can," said Rucker. 

"It's clear that he has the passion we do and we're so thankful he's a part of it," said Cole. 

The kids are thankful too. 

"It's another hospital that I can just make home," said Thomas. 

MUSC still needs nearly $35 million to make this project happen. They've already raised around $15 million. MUSC plans to start demolition for the new hospital in May.

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