Content provided by The O&P E- http://www.oandp.com/articles/NEWS_2009-11-19_02.asp
and www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Feature/Scoliosis_In_Search_of_the_Best_Treatment.aspx
According to Shriners Hospitals for Children, as many as .5 percent of children develop scoliosis severe enough to warrant treatment, and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects up to four percent of children—particularly girls—who are between the ages of ten and 16.
Bracing has long been the most common treatment for youth with moderate curves, according to Shriners, but no strong scientific data exists to demonstrate whether bracing actually prevents or slows the condition’s progress.
Matthew Dobbs, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Louis, and associate professor of pediatric orthopaedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, emphasizes that bracing is not an ideal treatment.
“Bracing a child with scoliosis is not an easy task,” he stated on shrinershq.org. “Adolescents do not want to wear a brace that makes them look and feel different from their friends. Bracing has been the accepted treatment for years for adolescents with a curve of 20 to 40 degrees, but there is no hard data to support that it works. We honestly don’t know what the right treatment is for patients with curves in this range. Some with braces do fine, as do some without. This is definitely a medical question that needs to be answered.”
To answer the question of bracing’s effectiveness, Shriners and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are conducting a multi-center research study titled Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BrAIST). The study, on which Dobbs is the lead investigator, has two main goals: to determine which patients actually benefit from bracing, and to help improve screening and treatment protocols and quality of life for AIS patients.
“Bracing is very expensive, as are the school screening programs,” Dobbs commented. “If we find that bracing is not effective, then screening programs to identify scoliosis in early stages could be stopped. On the other hand, if bracing is found to be effective, then more effort and resources could be employed toward improved screening programs to identify children with curves early enough that they can benefit from bracing.
Compliance is a major issue in bracing, Shriners noted. Patients are commonly advised to wear their brace 20 hours a day, but the braces are uncomfortable and awkward, especially for teens who want to fit in with their peers. In the BrAIST study, a heat sensor implanted in participants’ braces will monitor compliance.
Shriners also noted that it has studies under development toward determining whether children with other conditions that lead to scoliosis, including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and osteogenesis imperfecta, actually benefit from spinal bracing for the condition.
You ca copy and paste either on of the following links to read more information
Content provided by The O&P E- http://www.oandp.com/articles/NEWS_2009-11-19_02.asp
and www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Feature/Scoliosis_In_Search_of_the_Best_Treatment.aspx
140 year of Shriners
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Song proceeds to benefit Shriners Hospitals for children.
The One World Christmas Trees Music Project for Shriners Hospitals for
Children is offering "One World Christmas Trees," by FreeMason artist
Christopher Wauben, a contemporary pop Christmas song.
Proceeds from the song, available at www.BlueCoalition.com/33 will
benefit the Shriners Hospitals.
The song is available on Itunes, Napster, Amazon mp3, Rhapsody and
other digital download Web sites for 99 cents.
So go and check out www.BlueCoalition.com/33
Children is offering "One World Christmas Trees," by FreeMason artist
Christopher Wauben, a contemporary pop Christmas song.
Proceeds from the song, available at www.BlueCoalition.com/33 will
benefit the Shriners Hospitals.
The song is available on Itunes, Napster, Amazon mp3, Rhapsody and
other digital download Web sites for 99 cents.
So go and check out www.BlueCoalition.com/33
Monday, November 16, 2009
'In Good Hands'
The Portland Shriners Hospital for Children is more than a healing center for kids; it's an outreach program to communities across the state and an attitude of compassionate service that lifts kids and parents alike, families say
November 15, 2009 By Katherine Hannon for the Mail Tribune
It's time for a new fashion statement for Kassidy. The petite 9-year-old is trading in patriotic stars and stripes for a retro floral motif on the rigid plastic orthotics that support her legs from feet to knees.
Kneeling before her, Don Hayhurst fastens straps and checks the fit. Hayhurst is a certified prosthetist-orthotist, but Kassidy knows him as the wry man with the dry wit who insists on calling her "George."
Kassidy had surgery in August to strengthen a cracked hip bone and lengthen calf muscles. She will wear the orthotics for about a year.
"She has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, from a seizure at birth," explains her mother, Ginger. "We adopted her from Korea when she was 8 months old. We knew when we got the call that she had medical problems, but we said, 'OK, send herover." Kassidy, clearly fond of this story, asks her mother to repeat the best line. "We said, 'OK, send her over.' "
Bringing the hospital to you
Kassidy is one of 114 children from Southern Oregon seen at an Oct. 31 outreach clinic by orthopedic specialists from Portland's Shriners Hospital for Children. The clinic was held at Rogue Valley Medical Center's rehabilitation center in Medford.
For these children — many of them in wheelchairs, many of them bearing surgical scars — Halloween generosity didn't wait until dusk. A team of 16 medical specialists traveled 250 miles to provide thousands of dollars of medical treatment and equipment — all free of charge.
"Families at outreach are the happiest of any we see. They don't have to travel to Portland, it's Saturday, they don't have to miss work. It's one of the best things we do — bringing the hospital to you," says Dr. Michael Aiona, chief of staff.
Dr. Aiona has been with the Portland Shriners Hospital for 23 years. "It's the best medical philanthropy in the country. It's a great mission, but not enough people know about it."
Shriners doctors treat a range of disabilities: scoliosis, kyphosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, muscular dystrophy and deformities of the hips, hands and feet.
"Along with the underlying diagnosis, we have to understand what's going to happen over time," says Dr. Aiona. "There are conditions a child may not have at age 5, but over time might develop."
Brenda's son, Joey, 8, was born with Down Syndrome and club feet, which were treated with serial casting when he was an infant.
"Dr. Aiona told us that with Down Syndrome you have to watch for neck problems that can develop," says the Medford mother. "They could have fixed his feet and been done with him, but Joey is a part of them. They'll continue to keep up with him until he's an adult. I've heard people say, 'Once a Shriners baby, always a Shriners baby.' "
Mobile MASH unit
The outreach team left Portland early Friday morning like a medical Noah's ark — two doctors, two residents, two nurses, two medical assistants, two radiology technicians. The team is rounded out by experts in orthotics, prosthetics and physical therapy.
"Outreach is fantastic. We're like a mobile MASH unit. We understand the financial drain on families who make the long haul to Portland," says X-ray secretary Ralveen Schrock.
Patients requiring X-rays are seen at RVMC before arriving at the rehabilitation center on Black Oak Drive. Families are escorted through the hospital by gentlemen in distinctive hats — the maroon fez that signifies members of the Shriners fraternal order. Local members from the Hillah Shrine Temple volunteer at each outreach clinic, providing assistance, support and refreshments.
Saturday started early for Shriner Jack Adams. By 6 a.m., the 2008 Potentate was organizing volunteers and setting up the two locations.
"When you walk in the hospital and see smiles on children's faces, when you see them accept what they're going through, you just want to make them as comfortable and happy as you can," says Adams.
There's no smile brighter than that of Stephan of Chiloquin. The 12-year-old has little verbal language, but his eyes reach out eagerly and his smile is heart-melting. Born with cerebral palsy, Stephan's brain was injured by a prenatal stroke. He's been to Portland twice for surgery.
His mother, Sylvia, describes their last trip to Portland. "We took Amtrak up, but Shriners paid for a cab ride all the way from Portland to Chiloquin. It was over $500.
"Stephan was treated like a king. He came back with all kinds of loot; a remote-control truck, a Walkman, Beanie Babies. It was awesome."
Stephan, with his eyes and smile, makes it clear he agrees.
The hospital that gave us so much
Mike Mehl, rehabilitation manager for RVMC, coordinates the Black Oak facility. His daughter, Nisha, 30, was a Shriners patient until she was 21. Dr. Aiona performed spinal surgery on her when she was 17 to correct severe scoliosis.
"My daughter maintains contact with Dr. Aiona, Don Hayhurst, people we've seen over the years. She usually comes in the afternoon to say hello. Because of our own personal Shriners experience, I'm happy to still help out."
Peggy is another former Shriners parent. Her daughter, Joah, 32, was treated with a corrective device after being diagnosed with hip dysplasia as an infant.
"Joah did great," says Peggy. "She was able to do sports, and she has four children. I've volunteered for 20 years helping with registration. It's really rewarding to give back to the hospital that gave us so much." Her eyes fill with tears when she recalls her daughter's hospital visits. "Seeing children so much worse off than my own, I got over my pity party pretty quick. I remember when Joah got older ... she said, 'Mom, I don't need to take up their time.' "
A visit to Shriners does puts things in perspective.
"I remember our first couple of visits," says Ginger. I just about left in tears. I saw the strongest moms on earth in that waiting room."
Don Hayhurst is a Shriner himself. "Lots of Shriners find the hospital depressing. But the kids don't allow it — they're full of smiles because here there are kids just like them. For them, the hospital is not a depressing place."
'I know he's in good hands'
By mid-morning, the waiting room is full. The aisles are clogged with wheelchairs, but no one minds — where else can a child in a wheelchair blend in.
Beyond the waiting room, there's a swirl of activity. In the central physical-therapy area, doctors, residents and nurses crisscross the room as they evaluate patients, study x-rays and perform exams.
The room where orthotics and prosthetics are fitted is hectic. The three CPOs are in constant motion; taking plaster molds of legs and feet, bending to adjust devices, shaving down orthotics on a loud, grinding sander.
While Kassidy takes laps in her walker, a rhythmically rocking child accidentally bangs his head against the wall and begins to cry. Across the room, a mother spoon-feeds her teenager a snack the consistency of baby food.
CPO Sabrina Huston carefully helps 11-year-old Cameron from his wheelchair to tentatively test his new brace. Despite the noisy chaos, when Huston leans in to support Cameron's weight, the room seems completely quiet.
There's one last stop before patients depart — cookies and punch provided by the ladies auxiliary.
Lori's three boys are happy for the handful of cookies. Kole, the eldest at 13, had metal rods taken out of his leg on Tuesday. The Medford outreach saved the Eagle Point family a second trip to Portland in one week.
Kole confidently discusses his treatment. "Having the rods out didn't hurt. My cast will stay on for four months. I'm supposed to walk with it."
A veteran of 10 surgeries, Kole brushes away any talk of nervousness before undergoing surgery. But his mother tempers his bravado.
"Right before he goes under he's a little scared. ... Shriners is amazing, I couldn't ask for anything better. When my son goes under, I know he's in good hands."
'We just focus on the patients'
Shriners hospitals began in 1922 in response to the polio epidemic. Since their inception, they have treated more than 900,000 children. Their commitment always has been to provide quality medical care for children without financial obligation to their families.
"We don't charge patients," says past hospital board chair Jim Westerfield of Medford. "We don't care if you have insurance or assets, if you're a rocket scientist or a gas station attendant."
"It's a great mindset that our doctors don't think about insurance," says radiology manager Scot Duncil. "It shouldn't be an issue. Families shouldn't be stressed by that burden. We take that out, we just focus on the patients."
The hospitals are supported by an endowment fund built on donations and bequests. The budget to run all 22 hospitals is $7 billion. Portland's annual expenses are $23 million.
The economic downturn has hurt the organization. "The endowment fund has lost a lot of value," says Westerfield. "We're trying desperately to cut the budget, but not discontinue any services."
Hard hit are the outreach clinics. Clinics in La Grande and Bellingham, Wash., were eliminated several years ago. Anchorage, Alaska, has been cut to two annual visits, and Medford is being reduced from four to three clinics per year.
'They are just so kind'
Gratitude is the word of the day for families attending the outreach clinic.
"I'm a single foster parent," says Sandy King of Grants Pass. "For me to go to Portland is really hard with a handicapped child. This is easier for the children, they get really worn out on a trip."
Judith Anderson's daughter, Nina, has had nine surgeries in her 19 years, most recently for scoliosis.
"There's $120,000 worth of hardware in her back," says Nina's mother. "All that was included, plus the hospital stay. I'm so grateful for all they've done, for the steps they've taken for a better quality of life for Nina for as long as she is alive. They are just so kind."
The admiration between patients and staff is mutual. Dr. Aiona works through his heavy patient load with quiet efficiency, but his emotions are deep when he speaks of the families he meets.
"I have so much respect for our parents, for how hard — how impossible — their jobs are."
The medical marathon seems entirely worthwhile to the tired Shriners staff. Radiologist Scot Duncil sums up their feelings with a story about a chipper "Morning, Mister!" greeting from a little boy with no legs.
"We're here to help him improve his life, but he warmed up my day from the inside out."
For more information on Shriners Hospital for Children or to make a donation, visit www.shrinershq.org.
Katherine Hannon is a freelance writer living in Medford. She can be reached at katehannon17@yahoo.com.
November 15, 2009 By Katherine Hannon for the Mail Tribune
It's time for a new fashion statement for Kassidy. The petite 9-year-old is trading in patriotic stars and stripes for a retro floral motif on the rigid plastic orthotics that support her legs from feet to knees.
Kneeling before her, Don Hayhurst fastens straps and checks the fit. Hayhurst is a certified prosthetist-orthotist, but Kassidy knows him as the wry man with the dry wit who insists on calling her "George."
Kassidy had surgery in August to strengthen a cracked hip bone and lengthen calf muscles. She will wear the orthotics for about a year.
"She has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, from a seizure at birth," explains her mother, Ginger. "We adopted her from Korea when she was 8 months old. We knew when we got the call that she had medical problems, but we said, 'OK, send herover." Kassidy, clearly fond of this story, asks her mother to repeat the best line. "We said, 'OK, send her over.' "
Bringing the hospital to you
Kassidy is one of 114 children from Southern Oregon seen at an Oct. 31 outreach clinic by orthopedic specialists from Portland's Shriners Hospital for Children. The clinic was held at Rogue Valley Medical Center's rehabilitation center in Medford.
For these children — many of them in wheelchairs, many of them bearing surgical scars — Halloween generosity didn't wait until dusk. A team of 16 medical specialists traveled 250 miles to provide thousands of dollars of medical treatment and equipment — all free of charge.
"Families at outreach are the happiest of any we see. They don't have to travel to Portland, it's Saturday, they don't have to miss work. It's one of the best things we do — bringing the hospital to you," says Dr. Michael Aiona, chief of staff.
Dr. Aiona has been with the Portland Shriners Hospital for 23 years. "It's the best medical philanthropy in the country. It's a great mission, but not enough people know about it."
Shriners doctors treat a range of disabilities: scoliosis, kyphosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, muscular dystrophy and deformities of the hips, hands and feet.
"Along with the underlying diagnosis, we have to understand what's going to happen over time," says Dr. Aiona. "There are conditions a child may not have at age 5, but over time might develop."
Brenda's son, Joey, 8, was born with Down Syndrome and club feet, which were treated with serial casting when he was an infant.
"Dr. Aiona told us that with Down Syndrome you have to watch for neck problems that can develop," says the Medford mother. "They could have fixed his feet and been done with him, but Joey is a part of them. They'll continue to keep up with him until he's an adult. I've heard people say, 'Once a Shriners baby, always a Shriners baby.' "
Mobile MASH unit
The outreach team left Portland early Friday morning like a medical Noah's ark — two doctors, two residents, two nurses, two medical assistants, two radiology technicians. The team is rounded out by experts in orthotics, prosthetics and physical therapy.
"Outreach is fantastic. We're like a mobile MASH unit. We understand the financial drain on families who make the long haul to Portland," says X-ray secretary Ralveen Schrock.
Patients requiring X-rays are seen at RVMC before arriving at the rehabilitation center on Black Oak Drive. Families are escorted through the hospital by gentlemen in distinctive hats — the maroon fez that signifies members of the Shriners fraternal order. Local members from the Hillah Shrine Temple volunteer at each outreach clinic, providing assistance, support and refreshments.
Saturday started early for Shriner Jack Adams. By 6 a.m., the 2008 Potentate was organizing volunteers and setting up the two locations.
"When you walk in the hospital and see smiles on children's faces, when you see them accept what they're going through, you just want to make them as comfortable and happy as you can," says Adams.
There's no smile brighter than that of Stephan of Chiloquin. The 12-year-old has little verbal language, but his eyes reach out eagerly and his smile is heart-melting. Born with cerebral palsy, Stephan's brain was injured by a prenatal stroke. He's been to Portland twice for surgery.
His mother, Sylvia, describes their last trip to Portland. "We took Amtrak up, but Shriners paid for a cab ride all the way from Portland to Chiloquin. It was over $500.
"Stephan was treated like a king. He came back with all kinds of loot; a remote-control truck, a Walkman, Beanie Babies. It was awesome."
Stephan, with his eyes and smile, makes it clear he agrees.
The hospital that gave us so much
Mike Mehl, rehabilitation manager for RVMC, coordinates the Black Oak facility. His daughter, Nisha, 30, was a Shriners patient until she was 21. Dr. Aiona performed spinal surgery on her when she was 17 to correct severe scoliosis.
"My daughter maintains contact with Dr. Aiona, Don Hayhurst, people we've seen over the years. She usually comes in the afternoon to say hello. Because of our own personal Shriners experience, I'm happy to still help out."
Peggy is another former Shriners parent. Her daughter, Joah, 32, was treated with a corrective device after being diagnosed with hip dysplasia as an infant.
"Joah did great," says Peggy. "She was able to do sports, and she has four children. I've volunteered for 20 years helping with registration. It's really rewarding to give back to the hospital that gave us so much." Her eyes fill with tears when she recalls her daughter's hospital visits. "Seeing children so much worse off than my own, I got over my pity party pretty quick. I remember when Joah got older ... she said, 'Mom, I don't need to take up their time.' "
A visit to Shriners does puts things in perspective.
"I remember our first couple of visits," says Ginger. I just about left in tears. I saw the strongest moms on earth in that waiting room."
Don Hayhurst is a Shriner himself. "Lots of Shriners find the hospital depressing. But the kids don't allow it — they're full of smiles because here there are kids just like them. For them, the hospital is not a depressing place."
'I know he's in good hands'
By mid-morning, the waiting room is full. The aisles are clogged with wheelchairs, but no one minds — where else can a child in a wheelchair blend in.
Beyond the waiting room, there's a swirl of activity. In the central physical-therapy area, doctors, residents and nurses crisscross the room as they evaluate patients, study x-rays and perform exams.
The room where orthotics and prosthetics are fitted is hectic. The three CPOs are in constant motion; taking plaster molds of legs and feet, bending to adjust devices, shaving down orthotics on a loud, grinding sander.
While Kassidy takes laps in her walker, a rhythmically rocking child accidentally bangs his head against the wall and begins to cry. Across the room, a mother spoon-feeds her teenager a snack the consistency of baby food.
CPO Sabrina Huston carefully helps 11-year-old Cameron from his wheelchair to tentatively test his new brace. Despite the noisy chaos, when Huston leans in to support Cameron's weight, the room seems completely quiet.
There's one last stop before patients depart — cookies and punch provided by the ladies auxiliary.
Lori's three boys are happy for the handful of cookies. Kole, the eldest at 13, had metal rods taken out of his leg on Tuesday. The Medford outreach saved the Eagle Point family a second trip to Portland in one week.
Kole confidently discusses his treatment. "Having the rods out didn't hurt. My cast will stay on for four months. I'm supposed to walk with it."
A veteran of 10 surgeries, Kole brushes away any talk of nervousness before undergoing surgery. But his mother tempers his bravado.
"Right before he goes under he's a little scared. ... Shriners is amazing, I couldn't ask for anything better. When my son goes under, I know he's in good hands."
'We just focus on the patients'
Shriners hospitals began in 1922 in response to the polio epidemic. Since their inception, they have treated more than 900,000 children. Their commitment always has been to provide quality medical care for children without financial obligation to their families.
"We don't charge patients," says past hospital board chair Jim Westerfield of Medford. "We don't care if you have insurance or assets, if you're a rocket scientist or a gas station attendant."
"It's a great mindset that our doctors don't think about insurance," says radiology manager Scot Duncil. "It shouldn't be an issue. Families shouldn't be stressed by that burden. We take that out, we just focus on the patients."
The hospitals are supported by an endowment fund built on donations and bequests. The budget to run all 22 hospitals is $7 billion. Portland's annual expenses are $23 million.
The economic downturn has hurt the organization. "The endowment fund has lost a lot of value," says Westerfield. "We're trying desperately to cut the budget, but not discontinue any services."
Hard hit are the outreach clinics. Clinics in La Grande and Bellingham, Wash., were eliminated several years ago. Anchorage, Alaska, has been cut to two annual visits, and Medford is being reduced from four to three clinics per year.
'They are just so kind'
Gratitude is the word of the day for families attending the outreach clinic.
"I'm a single foster parent," says Sandy King of Grants Pass. "For me to go to Portland is really hard with a handicapped child. This is easier for the children, they get really worn out on a trip."
Judith Anderson's daughter, Nina, has had nine surgeries in her 19 years, most recently for scoliosis.
"There's $120,000 worth of hardware in her back," says Nina's mother. "All that was included, plus the hospital stay. I'm so grateful for all they've done, for the steps they've taken for a better quality of life for Nina for as long as she is alive. They are just so kind."
The admiration between patients and staff is mutual. Dr. Aiona works through his heavy patient load with quiet efficiency, but his emotions are deep when he speaks of the families he meets.
"I have so much respect for our parents, for how hard — how impossible — their jobs are."
The medical marathon seems entirely worthwhile to the tired Shriners staff. Radiologist Scot Duncil sums up their feelings with a story about a chipper "Morning, Mister!" greeting from a little boy with no legs.
"We're here to help him improve his life, but he warmed up my day from the inside out."
For more information on Shriners Hospital for Children or to make a donation, visit www.shrinershq.org.
Katherine Hannon is a freelance writer living in Medford. She can be reached at katehannon17@yahoo.com.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Night of the Child-Success
I want to Thank everyone that attended and supported "The Night of the
Child". We had a very successful night with our first Benefit of this
nature.
Lin Sue Cooney was great and she brought with her the camera
folks from Channel 12 news. We were suppose to hit the 10pm news. What
a great lady and her speech was super.
We had so many Shriners involved in putting this together and working
the night of the Benefit, it was unbelievable. We actually ended up
with more help than what we needed, which is a great problem to have.
One of our goals was to attract many new Corporations to this Benefit
to help share our story. That goal was accomplished. We want to
continue increasing our Corporate visibility and telling our story.
This was a great start.
Thank you again for your support. Mick Degn, El Zaribarh Shrine
Child". We had a very successful night with our first Benefit of this
nature.
Lin Sue Cooney was great and she brought with her the camera
folks from Channel 12 news. We were suppose to hit the 10pm news. What
a great lady and her speech was super.
We had so many Shriners involved in putting this together and working
the night of the Benefit, it was unbelievable. We actually ended up
with more help than what we needed, which is a great problem to have.
One of our goals was to attract many new Corporations to this Benefit
to help share our story. That goal was accomplished. We want to
continue increasing our Corporate visibility and telling our story.
This was a great start.
Thank you again for your support. Mick Degn, El Zaribarh Shrine
CHP Cadets Help at Shriners Hospital for Children
Cadets from the California Highway Patrol Academy donated their time Saturday Nov. 14th to do various tasks at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, and to the Sacramento Habitat for Humanity.
At the hospital cadets hung outdoor holiday lights, refinished play structures, cleaned drains, painted and spruced up outdoor areas.
At the hospital cadets hung outdoor holiday lights, refinished play structures, cleaned drains, painted and spruced up outdoor areas.
Friday, November 13, 2009
St. George Screening Clinic
Shriners often are easy to spot, especially at special events such as parades, as they walk or ride around wearing their fez hats. They sometimes elicit some ribbing as people mock their choice in head gear. Many people don't understand what their organization is all about.
But almost everyone who has heard of the Shriners associate the name with public service, particularly assistance for children.
Such is the case with Shriners who serve in Southern Utah. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, they and medical personnel will be at the Doctors Volunteer Clinic, 1036 E. Riverside Drive in St. George, to screen children from our region for potential life-enhancing medical procedures at one of the organization's top-notch hospitals.
Shriners Hospitals have been assisting kids with serious medical issues since 1922. With a focus on specialized care, the Shriners have medical professionals determine if a child would benefit from available treatments, and if that is the case, there is no charge for those services. A parent's ability to pay and insurance coverage doesn't factor into the equation.
Over the years, Shriners have built their reputation on caring for children who, in many cases, have nowhere else to go. Shriners provide orthopedic care to correct birth defects, join injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They provide some of the best burn care. They assist with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and repair cleft lips and palates.
Shriners also support vast amounts of medical research and provide opportunities for physicians who receive their residency education and postgraduate fellowships at their facilities.
Southern Utah families are encouraged to take their children who may need assistance to the Doctors Volunteer Clinic on Saturday. The Shriners may not be able to help everyone, but they can help some. And those children will have the opportunity for an improved quality of life as a result.
Shriners may be known for wearing their fez hats and riding in miniature vehicles at parades, and those activities put smiles on the faces in the crowd. After Saturday, local Shriners hope to put at least a few more smiles on the faces of area kids and their parents. And that is a great public service.
The Spectrum.com & Daily News
But almost everyone who has heard of the Shriners associate the name with public service, particularly assistance for children.
Such is the case with Shriners who serve in Southern Utah. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, they and medical personnel will be at the Doctors Volunteer Clinic, 1036 E. Riverside Drive in St. George, to screen children from our region for potential life-enhancing medical procedures at one of the organization's top-notch hospitals.
Shriners Hospitals have been assisting kids with serious medical issues since 1922. With a focus on specialized care, the Shriners have medical professionals determine if a child would benefit from available treatments, and if that is the case, there is no charge for those services. A parent's ability to pay and insurance coverage doesn't factor into the equation.
Over the years, Shriners have built their reputation on caring for children who, in many cases, have nowhere else to go. Shriners provide orthopedic care to correct birth defects, join injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They provide some of the best burn care. They assist with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and repair cleft lips and palates.
Shriners also support vast amounts of medical research and provide opportunities for physicians who receive their residency education and postgraduate fellowships at their facilities.
Southern Utah families are encouraged to take their children who may need assistance to the Doctors Volunteer Clinic on Saturday. The Shriners may not be able to help everyone, but they can help some. And those children will have the opportunity for an improved quality of life as a result.
Shriners may be known for wearing their fez hats and riding in miniature vehicles at parades, and those activities put smiles on the faces in the crowd. After Saturday, local Shriners hope to put at least a few more smiles on the faces of area kids and their parents. And that is a great public service.
The Spectrum.com & Daily News
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
AZ Songwriters Benefit Jam for Sabbar Shriners
TUCSON, AZ – A group of Arizona songwriters got together Tuesday night November 10th to raise money for the Sabbar Shriners and tell the stories of their songs. The Arizona Songwriters Benefit featuring Gary Bonnett, Jay Faircloth, Gary Alan Durrenberger Ivan Dennis and more.
Gary Bonnett appeared on KOLD News 13 Live Tuesday Morning to talk about his new album, Red Dirt Songs and the Sabbar Shriners benefit. You can check out the exclusiv interview with Jenny Anchondo on kold.com.
Gary Bonnett appeared on KOLD News 13 Live Tuesday Morning to talk about his new album, Red Dirt Songs and the Sabbar Shriners benefit. You can check out the exclusiv interview with Jenny Anchondo on kold.com.
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