140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Shriners Hospital for Children: A proud tradition

Contributed by: Allen Duey published on the Hub by the Denver Newspaper Assoc.

Parades, conventions, comraderie... the Shriners have a lot of proud traditions... but none they're prouder of than the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Over the past 86 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided the best, most advanced medical care, at absolutely no charge, to more than 865,000 children. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge - regardless of financial need. Acceptance is based solely on a child's medical needs. For patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children, ability to pay or insurance coverage is never an issue. There is no charge for any care or services provided within Shriners Hospitals for Children facilities.

The Shriners Hospitals specializing in orthopaedics are dedicated to providing medical and rehabilitative services to children with congenital deformities, problems resulting from orthopaedic injuries, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Some of the most commonly treated conditions include clubfoot, limb deficiencies and discrepancies, scoliosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and orthopedic problems related to spina bifida.

FUNDING: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Shriners Hospitals for Children relies on the generous donations of Shriners and the general public to carry out our mission and change the lives of children every day. For more information about supporting Shriners Hospitals, please visit www.shrinershospitals.org or call (800) 241-GIFT.

LOCALLY, El Jebel Shriners volunteers provide support services for Shriners Hospital patients in our jurisdiction. Locally, we provide logistical and clerical services for Screening Clinics, Outreach Clinics, and Telemedicine Clinics, on behalf of Shriners Hospitals. El Jebel Shriners also provide support in terms of travel to Shriners Hospitals, by booking airfare for the patient and one parent/guardian, or by providing a nominal sum to those who wish to travel by car. Currently, there are nearly 1000 children in our jurisdiction (northern Colorado) who are receiving continuing care through Shriners Hospitals.

Do you know of a child that Shriners Hospitals might be able to help? If so, please call the El Jebel Shriners office in Denver at (303) 455-3470.

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