In 1922, when the first Shriners Hospital for Children opened in Shreveport, La., it marked a commitment the Shrine of North America has continued for generations - helping children build better lives.

The Shrine is an international fraternity that has built 22 Shriners Hospitals, which have become known as the "World's Greatest Philanthropy." This network of 19 orthopaedic hospitals, 3 burn institutes, and 1 hospital that incorporates both orthopaedic and severe burn care, offers quality care to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, up to their 18^th birthday, absolutely free of charge.

What sets Shriners Hospitals apart is that there is never a charge to the patient or family for any care or services provided, and no insurance monies, third party payment or federal, state or local government funds are accepted for medical services or treatment at Shriners Hospitals.

In addition to offering a complete range of specialized medical and rehabilitation services, Shriners Hospitals use a unique family centered treatment approach that involves the patient's family in the recovery process. This philosophy stresses that while medicine might heal the child's body, tending to the child's sense of well being is equally important to his recovery.

With the help of outstanding hospital personnel, exceptional medical facilities, comfortable environments and the close companionship of other patients, children are provided with the support and encouragement they need to meet the many challenges they face.

Shriners Hospitals are equipped and staffed to care for children with congenital orthopaedic deformities, problems resulting from orthopaedic injuries and diseases of the bones, joints and muscles. Some of the common orthopaedic problems treated at Shrine Hospitals include:

• Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
• Ostogensis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Orthopaedic problems of cerebral palsy
• Hand problems
• Back problems
• Limb deficiencies and growth problems
• Orthopaedic problems of spina bifida with myelodysplasia (paralysis of limbs due to the spine and spinal nerves)
• Club foot and dislocated hip
• Leg length discrepancies
• Orthopaedic problems resulting from neuromuscular disorders
• Legg-Perthes disease (development problems of the hip)
• Rickets

The hospitals also treat patients with healed burns who, as a result of those burns, may have developed orthopaedic complications, scarring and deformity of the limbs.

Each year, Shriners hospitals spend millions of dollars on specialized research and the development of new treatments for crippling diseases that afflict children.

Shriners Hospitals are highly regarded as leaders in the field of orthopaedic medicine, surgery and research, and a great many orthopaedic surgeons receive their training at Shriners facilities

Shriners Hospitals also treat children with spinal cord injuries. One of the nation's first spinal cord injury rehabilitation units for children was established at the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, in 1980. Two years later a similar rehabilitation unit opened at the Shriners Hospital in Chicago, Ill, and a third opened in 1994 at the Shriners Hospital in San Francisco, CA. The San Francisco unit has now been re-built in Sacramento, CA

Application forms can be obtained from any Shriner, Shrine Temple Recorder, Shrine Club, Shriners Hospital, or by writing Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. box 31356, Tampa, Florida 33631-3365.

"World's Greatest Philanthropy"

The Shrine philanthropy is supported by each Shriner's annual hospital assessment, hospital fund raising events and by contributions, gifts and bequests of out many friends who want to make an "Investment in Humanity".

Tax-deductible contribution can be made to the Shrines Hospitals for Children through gifts of cash, securities, real estate, life insurance, and through provision in wills or trusts.

Please contact the Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or call toll-free, 1-800-241-GIFT (1-800-241-4438), for specific information on how you can share in the care of children with special medical needs.

For general information for Shriners Hospitals, cal the toll-free number 1-800-237-5055 (in Canada call 1-800-361-7256).