Fourth annual Halloween fundraiser to support future respiratory therapists
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 20, 2026)–Kirkwood Community College will offer two ways to experience Halloween thrills when its student Respiratory Therapy Club hosts the fourth annual Haunted Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center on the college’s main campus in Cedar Rapids.
This year’s event will introduce a sensory-friendly experience from 3:30 to 4 p.m., providing a calmer environment for visitors who may be sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights or sudden scares. The modified experience will feature reduced sound and lighting effects with no jump scares, allowing more community members to participate in the Halloween tradition.
The full Haunted Hospital experience will follow from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring medical-themed scares as students transform the simulation center into a haunted attraction. Admission is $6 per person, with proceeds supporting students preparing for careers in respiratory therapy.
Kirkwood Respiratory Therapist Program Director Liliana Hoffnagle said the addition of the sensory-friendly experience reflects the club’s commitment to making the event accessible to more people.
“We want the Haunted Hospital to be something the entire community can enjoy, and adding a sensory-friendly option gives more people the opportunity to take part,” said Hoffnagle. “Our students put a tremendous amount of creativity and effort into bringing this event to life each year. It’s exciting to see them come together for something that brings people to campus while also supporting their classmates. Every ticket purchased helps us invest in the next generation of respiratory therapists.”
Now in its fourth year, the Haunted Hospital has become an annual fundraising opportunity for Kirkwood’s Respiratory Therapy Club. Money raised helps support students as they complete their education and prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
The event will take place on the second floor of Linn Hall at the Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center. Community members of all ages are welcome to attend.
For more information about Kirkwood’s Respiratory Therapist program, visit www.kirkwood.edu/respiratorytherapist.
