By Lucy Millett
THE MEDICAL liaison for a US hospital met with a spokesman for the Minister for Health yesterday, seeking financial help to operate on Cypriot children suffering from scoliosis.
Shriners Hospitals for Children have been treating Cypriot children with orthopaedic problems free of charge for thirty years. Children deemed in need treatment are sent to Massachusetts at the expense of the Paraskevaides Foundation.
However, due to the current economic climate, the leadership of the Shriners Hospitals can no longer afford to provide the surgical hardware needed for the scoliosis operations.
George Christodoulou, the medical liaison between Cyprus, the Paraskevaides Foundation and the Shriners Hospitals, met with Mr Vakanas, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, to discuss meeting these costs. Christodoulou said he was ‘very pleased with the outcome of the meeting.’
He explained “The ministry have requested that a medical record come from us and an application form from the parents of the children. This is so that they can process the money needed for the surgical hardware.” He said the ministry were ‘very helpful’ and the meeting was ‘very encouraging.’ Christodoulou stressed that “all other medical expenses remain free.”
He added that he hopes the parents of children with scoliosis would be made aware of this development so that they can take the necessary steps to improve their children’s quality of life.
Mr Nasos Athanasiou, spokesman for the Paraskevaides Foundation, said: “I am very optimistic about the help from the Cyprus government. As I understand it the ministry have promised to help, provided that the parents bring papers to justify this assistance. This will no doubt depend on the financial situation of the family. I am sure that the ministry will make the parents aware of what they have to do to apply for assistance.”
He added that the Foundation will continue to fund the children’s travel expenses “for as long as the need is there.” Christodoulou said of the Paraskevaides Foundation: “Everything we do for these Cypriot children is all thanks to them. Without them this programme would not exist.”
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine which can be extremely painful. Severe cases of scoliosis can lead to diminished lung capacity, increased pressure on the heart and restricted physical activity. In adolescents scoliosis can cause the hip and leg proportions to become misaligned. According to Christodoulou Cyprus has the highest per capita rate of scoliosis worldwide. The surgery for scoliosis involves placing a rod either side of the spine to straighten it. These rods, which cost between $13 000 and $25 000 (€9000 to €17500) are the surgical hardware in question.
Shriners Hospitals have helped more than 3,000 Cypriot children free of charge since 1980 but since the global recession they have had to cut their budget to keep six of their hospitals open. This resulted in the need for financial assistance to pay for the platinum parts needed to straighten the spines of scoliosis patients.
Shriners Hospitals are dedicated to making a difference in the lives have children. Since 1922 they have helped more than 865,000 children, free of charge.
Last week Athanasiou commented ‘It is a mark of the times that for the first time in 30 years Shriners have had to ask for financial help.’
140 year of Shriners
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Help Neded at La Dolce Vita, Black Horse
Gentlemen:Urgent plea from the organizers of La Dolce Vita. For this Friday Aug.14th
Your assistance with filling the remaining 20 open volunteer positions is now critical. The hospital has signed up thirteen with another seven pending. But we are still short the other half (20). Tina Brunello at (916) 453-2018 is managing the list. She can also be emailed at tbrunello@shrinenet.org. The organizers need to have every slot confirmed by close of business on Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning. Jodi Ellis will contact people directly with information - so people need to provide telephone numbers and email.
We are both dependent on and sincerely grateful for your help. With questions, feel free to call me at (916) 541-4898. Thanks so much!Alan
Your assistance with filling the remaining 20 open volunteer positions is now critical. The hospital has signed up thirteen with another seven pending. But we are still short the other half (20). Tina Brunello at (916) 453-2018 is managing the list. She can also be emailed at tbrunello@shrinenet.org. The organizers need to have every slot confirmed by close of business on Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning. Jodi Ellis will contact people directly with information - so people need to provide telephone numbers and email.
We are both dependent on and sincerely grateful for your help. With questions, feel free to call me at (916) 541-4898. Thanks so much!Alan
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thief steals from Shriners and ultimately kids
Curly Werner
The names, numbers and addresses of those who bought tickets are in the stolen duffel bag. The names, numbers and addresses of those who bought tickets are in the stolen duffel bag.
SPOKANE -- It's a crime that Shriners say is a senseless act against the children of Spokane and now they need the city's help tracking down a duffel bag.
The El Katif Shriners say they were selling raffle tickets for the popular duck race in Riverfront Park on Saturday when a thief made it off with a duffel bag full of $400 worth of cash and raffle tickets.
Von Chimienti said he put the now missing duffel bag into the back of his truck. Chimienti believes whoever took the bag must have watched him throw it in his truck.
"I looked in the back... the blue bag's gone...where'd it go?," Chimienti recalled. "I knew I didn't lose it between here and there."
Chimienti said he failed to lock his truck after he put the duffel inside, still fellow Shriner Curly Werner doesn't understand who would commit such an offense.
"Making off with a contribution to the Shriners Hospital, of all the dumb things to do," exclaimed Werner. "Robbing banks is one thing, but stealing from kids is something else, I'm sorry there are people like that."
Werner and Chimienti say they're worried about the raffle ticket stubs that were in the bag. The stubs contain the names, phone numbers and addresses of the 45 people who bought raffle tickets.
The theft comes just days after the officials announce the layoff of nine Shriners Hospital employees in an effort to keep all 22 of it's locations open.
The hospital, which has been financially strapped, will also reduce the hours of 13 other employees.
If you have any information about the crime or the bag's whereabouts, you are asked to call the Shriners at (509)624-2762.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Shriners Hops at Moxee
GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic
Shriner Bob Crosier greets youngsters as he drives in the Moxee Hop Festival Parade in Moxee, Wash. Aug. 8, 2009. The annual two-day festival includes live entertainment, a 5K fun run and walk and fireworks.
The Masada Shriners and their tiny cars, requisite to any parade.
"We're here to show people we're still around and that it's all about the kids," said Donald Lansing, potentate of the Yakima unit.
Lansing noted that next month, Shriners' hospitals mark their 85th year of providing care for severely injured children.
Monday, August 3, 2009
HOG Run Aug.30th
The Golden State Glendale HOG(Harley Owners Group)and Al Malaikah Shrine Motor Patrol invite everyone to join them for a great day for a great cause!
A cool ride. Lucky poker hand, door prizes, 50/50, live band and a delicious lunch.
Registration 7am to 9am Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium 665 West Jefferson Blvd.(between Hover & Figuroa) $25.00 person run pins to the first 300 entrants.
Finish at Glendale Harley Davidson Buell 3717 San Fernando Rd. Glendale. Call Bob at (323)855-0024 or Rod (661)252-5294 for more information.
Cars are welcome and encouraged.
The Annual Porker run to Benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and the Golden State Glendale HOG
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Bowl-A-Thon helps Shriners Hospital
Washington Voices The Spokesman-Review
SPOKANE COUNTY – Supporters of Shriners Hospital for Children were relieved when the announcement came that the hospital would not be closed for the present. But Spokane Valley resident Carol Gibson said it’s important to continue to generate funds for the nonprofit institution. “Even though the hospital remains open, we’re still raising funds to help with patient care, especially for uninsured patients,” she said.
On Saturday, the community joined Gibson and other supporters at Lilac Lanes, 1112 E. Magnesium Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. for a Bowl-A-Thon. The proceeds going to Spokane Shriners Hospital. The cost was $25 per person or $40 per family, and included shoe rental.
SPOKANE COUNTY – Supporters of Shriners Hospital for Children were relieved when the announcement came that the hospital would not be closed for the present. But Spokane Valley resident Carol Gibson said it’s important to continue to generate funds for the nonprofit institution. “Even though the hospital remains open, we’re still raising funds to help with patient care, especially for uninsured patients,” she said.
On Saturday, the community joined Gibson and other supporters at Lilac Lanes, 1112 E. Magnesium Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. for a Bowl-A-Thon. The proceeds going to Spokane Shriners Hospital. The cost was $25 per person or $40 per family, and included shoe rental.
Pro Paintball team Explicit spends the day at Shriners Childrens Hospital
July 31, 2009 by Brandon
Professional paintball team San Francisco Explicit recently spent an afternoon at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, CA giving back to those in need. The team spent time with the kids and donated board games and answered tons of questions. This is paintball news that deserves attention as it involves both children in need and the promotion of paintball to the outside community. Many of you may recognize SF Explicit from both the extraordinary job they’ve done promoting paintball all while raising awareness for those both in and outside of our sport. Read on as Jana Kruska and Rob Montiero of San Francisco Explicit recount their experience.
Rob Montiero on the Shriners Children’s Hospital visit;
SF EXPLICIT joined the staff to discuss our visit with the kids who were already waiting upstairs for us. The staff held a Q & A session so that the kids would have a better understanding of what we do and who we all were. It was awesome how very interested they all were about paintball. After Q & A we all had the opportunity to join in on several different activities that were going on with the kids, such as…painting, video games, cards which UNO we noticed was definitely a kid favorite. Some of the kids were confined to a bed or a wheel chair while others were able to walk around, but this didn’t seem to matter to them, they were all so curious about us. It was so amazing interacting with all of them, tons of questions, lots of laughs, and we definitely got a beatdown in a card game of UNO.
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Shriners Children’s Hospital and their staff for giving us the opportunity to spend part of the day with them and sharing their lives with us. What an amazing experience it was. These kids definitely left a lasting impression on all of us and would only hope we left all of them feeling the same way.
A special thank you to Planet Eclipse, DGX, Rockstar and HA Logistics for donating T-shirts, Hats, and a dozen new board games. Thanks to Kahlen Limjoco from Make It To Sunday, Mike O’Malley from Rockstar and the Rockstar Factory Team for joining us on this visit.
Professional paintball team San Francisco Explicit recently spent an afternoon at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, CA giving back to those in need. The team spent time with the kids and donated board games and answered tons of questions. This is paintball news that deserves attention as it involves both children in need and the promotion of paintball to the outside community. Many of you may recognize SF Explicit from both the extraordinary job they’ve done promoting paintball all while raising awareness for those both in and outside of our sport. Read on as Jana Kruska and Rob Montiero of San Francisco Explicit recount their experience.
Rob Montiero on the Shriners Children’s Hospital visit;
SF EXPLICIT joined the staff to discuss our visit with the kids who were already waiting upstairs for us. The staff held a Q & A session so that the kids would have a better understanding of what we do and who we all were. It was awesome how very interested they all were about paintball. After Q & A we all had the opportunity to join in on several different activities that were going on with the kids, such as…painting, video games, cards which UNO we noticed was definitely a kid favorite. Some of the kids were confined to a bed or a wheel chair while others were able to walk around, but this didn’t seem to matter to them, they were all so curious about us. It was so amazing interacting with all of them, tons of questions, lots of laughs, and we definitely got a beatdown in a card game of UNO.
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Shriners Children’s Hospital and their staff for giving us the opportunity to spend part of the day with them and sharing their lives with us. What an amazing experience it was. These kids definitely left a lasting impression on all of us and would only hope we left all of them feeling the same way.
A special thank you to Planet Eclipse, DGX, Rockstar and HA Logistics for donating T-shirts, Hats, and a dozen new board games. Thanks to Kahlen Limjoco from Make It To Sunday, Mike O’Malley from Rockstar and the Rockstar Factory Team for joining us on this visit.
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