Abba Shrine Center - Mobile, AL

About Leigh

Tampa

Seven-year-old Leigh was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease. OI is a genetic disorder caused by imperfectly formed bone collagen that causes bones to break extremely easily. At just three weeks old, Leigh was admitted to Shriners Hospital in Tampa as the youngest patient in a clinical study just beginning on the effects of pamidronate. Even with pamidronate, Leigh has had 20 broken bones, which she says, "is not so fun." She has had rods inserted in her legs to strengthen the bones.

Leigh is in the gifted program at school and is a popular, exuberant, confident child. For her third birthday, she asked guest bring money to help Shriners Hospitals, instead of toys. Her request has become an annual fundraiser.

More Shriner Children

SOURCE: 2008-02-21 http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/success/

Shriners Hospitals for Children 2006 - 2007 Facts and Figures

SOURCE: Shriners Hospitals for Children Website
http://www.shriners.com/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/Facts/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Providing world-class medical care

For nearly 85 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided some of the best medical care in the world, totally free of charge, to more than 835,000 children with orthopaedic conditions, burn injuries of all degrees, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate.

Facts

In 2006, Shriners Hospitals approved 38,984 new patient applications, attended to the needs of 128,578 patients and provided the following:

251,461 radiology procedures
296,859 outpatient, outreach and telemedicine visits
61,103 orthotic and prosthetic devices
24,609 surgical procedures
412,387 physical therapy treatments
181,174 occupational therapy treatments

Figures

Shriners Hospitals' total budget for 2007 is $721 million, of which $655 million is targeted for operating expenses (including $37 million for research) and $66 million for buildings and equipment expenditures.

During the nearly 85-year history of the Shriners Hospitals, it has cost approximately $8.2 billion to operate Shriners Hospitals, and over $1.76 billion has been spent on construction and renovation.

Orthopaedic Hospitals

The 18 orthopaedic Shiners Hospitals are dedicated to providing specialized 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 disorders include clubfoot, limb deficiencies and discrepancies, scoliosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and problems related to spina bifida, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and muscular dystrophy.

Burn Care

Located in Galveston, Boston, Cincinnati and Sacramento, the Shriners burn hospitals have been leaders in burn research since opening in the mid-1960s. Treatment is provided for severe burn injuries and related scarring, along with physical and emotional rehabilitation. This vast experience and knowledge has had far-reaching affects on burn treatment techniques worldwide.

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

In the 1980s, Shriners Hospitals established a spinal cord injury rehabilitation program for children. These programs, at the Chicago, Northern California and Philadelphia hospitals, are among the few in the United States specifically designed to treat children and teenagers with spinal cord injuries.

Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

In 2005, the Joint Boards of Shiners Hospitals officially added cleft lip and palate repair to the mission. The program is expanding, based on the model of Shriners Hospital-Chicago, which has been treating children with cleft lip and palate for more than 35 years.

Shriner Primer

SOURCE: Shriners of North America Website
http://www.shriners.com/Shrine/About/ShrinerPrimer.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you don’t think former President Gerald Ford, astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, country crooner Brad Paisley and race car driver Sam Hornish Jr., have anything in common besides celebrity, you need the Shriner Primer.

If you think that "Potentate" is the strength of hot sauce that lies somewhere between "mild" and "hot" at your favorite burrito joint, you need the Shriner Primer.

And if you think the only thing Shriners - those guys in the odd-looking, tasseled, red hats in your local Independence Day parade - do is ride around in tiny cars, you really need the Shriner Primer.

Download the Shriner Primer (in PDF format) and enjoy our version of the CliffsNotes® on Shriners of North America. Spend a few minutes perusing the booklet, and we hope you’ll have a better insight into the Shriners, the fraternity, Freemasonry and Shriners Hospitals for Children. At the very least, you’ll be able to amaze your friends with your knowledge of American trivia. At the very most, you’ll be inclined to continue learning more!

The first Shriners meeting was held in New York City in 1872.

To become a Shriner, a man first must be a Master Mason.

All Shriners are Masons... but not all Masons are Shriners.

The fez was named after the town of Fez, Morocco, where it originated.

The chief executive officer of Shriners of North America is the Imperial Potentate.

The first Shriners Hospital for Children opened in Shreveport, La., in 1922.

There is never a charge for any of the care or services provided at Shriners Hospitals.

... from the Shriner Primer: The ultimate guide

Burn Injuries - Prepare, Prevent, Respond

SOURCE: Shriners Hospitals for Children Website
http://www.shriners.com/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/prevention/burn_awareness.aspx

Fire kills for than 600 children ages 14 and under each year and injures about 3,400 more; nearly 50 percent of children who are injured are under the age of 5.

Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Shriners of North America offer these tips to Prepare, Prevent, Respond to burn injuries.

Prepare

Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, especially on the ceiling just outside bedroom doors.
Test smoke detectors monthly and change batteries annually.
Maintain a first aid kit in your home.
Develop an escape plan and practice it. Make sure each room in the home has at least two ways out and keep the escape route clutter-free and have alternatives in place.
Know emergency numbers and information such as your name, phone number and address of the home.

Prevent

Provide continuous supervision for your children.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Keep children away from stoves, ovens, grills and appliances.
Take extra care when cooking with fryers. Never leave any cooking appliance unattended.
Set your home's water heater to the safest setting--120-125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Run cold water into tub first, then add hot water. Keep children away from faucets.
Never keep gasoline in your home. Keep it outside in a well-ventilated area and away from sources of ignition.

Respond

There are several types of burn injuries. In the event of any burn injury, it is imperative that medical attention is sought immediately. The procedures below can be followed until medical help arrives:

Thermal burns are caused by contact with an open flame or other source of high heat, including appliances, steam or hot liquids.

Put out any fire or flame or stop contact with steam, liquid or object.
Remove hot or burned clothing, if possible.
Cool injured area with running water within 30 seconds.
Stop any bleeding.
Cover burned area with sterile pad or clean sheet
Attempt to maintain victims body temperature.
Seek medical help.

Chemical burns are caused by contact with strong acids or bases. Household products such as bleach, concrete mix and pool chlorinators are among the most common sources of chemical burns.

Flush affected skin with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the chemical is a powder, brush it off the skin before flushing.
Seek medical help. Even if the area is washed, the chemical may have penetrated.
Contact poison control or your local emergency room

Electrical burns occur when strong electrical currents pass through the body. These burns may appear minor, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath the skin.

Look first and do not touch the victim, as the person may still in contact with the electrical source.
Pull the plug or shut off any electrical current.
Check the victims breathing. I breathing has stopped or you suspect the airway is blocked, begin CPR.
Cover affected areas using a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Do not use a blanket or towel as fluffy fibers can be irritating.
Seek medical help

For any burn:

NEVER apply lotions, ointments or creams to the affected area.
NEVER use adhesive dressings
NEVER break blisters

Shriners..Having Fun & Helping Kids

SOURCE: Shriners of North America Website
http://www.shriners.com/Shrine/Membership/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All We Need is You!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Shriners?

A brotherhood of men...dedicated to fun and fellowship...but with a serious purpose.

Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life and a commitment to philanthropy. They enjoy parades, trips, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions. They support what has been called the "World's Greatest Philanthropy," Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals, operated and maintained by the Shriners. All children, up to 18 years old, may be eligible for treatment at Shriners Hospitals if they, in the opinion of the hospital's chief of staff, could benefit from the specialized care available at Shriners Hospitals. Eligibility is not based on financial need or relationship to a Shriner.

What is Masonry and what is the connection to the Shrine?

In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to the time when stonemasons and other craftsmen gathered in shelter houses or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own desire to be fraternal brothers.

The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three Masonic Degrees known as the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree).

After he becomes a Master Mason, he can belong to many other organizations which have their roots in Masonry and which have Blue Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite. Only when a man has achieved the status of Master Mason can he petition to become a Noble of the Shrine of North America.

Other affiliated Masonic organizations include the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry (Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A and Canada) and the York Rite.

What is the relationship between Shriners and Shriners Hospitals?

In a unique interdependent relationship, the Shriners and Shriners Hospitals are separate but inseparable.

The Shriners of North America supports Shriners Hospitals in many ways: Shrine Temples and clubs often help arrange and pay for transportation for children and parents to the hospitals, and thousands of Shriners spend many hours of their own time driving families to the hospitals and entertaining the patients.

In addition, Shriners helps support the hospitals financially, with each Shriner paying an annual $5 hospital assessment. Temples and clubs also hold many fundraisers, some of which benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

What are the benefits of becoming a Shriner?

Membership in a well-known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic activities.
Opportunity to develop lasting friendships with others from all walks of life
A variety of social activities available for the entire family and many special-interest groups to meet individual interests
The privilege of being part of the "Worlds Greatest Philanthropy," offering Shriners many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children.

How can I become a Shriner?

Click below for more information on how to become a Shriner.

Quick Facts - Shriners Hospitals for Children

The Shriners of North America is a fraternal organization established in 1872 with a current international membership of approximately 412,000 and 191 Shrine Centers. The Shrine supports the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout North America.

The Mission of the Shriners is to be:

The Premiere Fraternal Organization for men of good character
Committed to providing attractive, quality programs and services for its members, their families and friends in a spirit of fun, fellowship and social camaraderie
Foster self- improvement through leadership, education, the perpetuation of moral values and community involvement
Serve mankind through the resources of its great philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children

If you hold the Master Mason degree in Freemasonry, you qualify and are invited to join the Shrine.

The Philanthropy

Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 state-of-the-art pediatric hospitals:

18 orthopaedic hospitals
3 burn centers
1 hospital providing care for orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord injury

Twenty hospitals throughout the United States and one each in Canada and Mexico make this a truly international hospital network.

Since 1922, Shriners Hospitals have treated more than 835,000 children from around the world, absolutely free of charge. We do not accept funding from insurance providers or government agencies, relying solely on the charitable efforts of the Shrine of North America and donations from the public. Our 2007 operating budget is $721 million. For more information see Facts & Figures.

Shriners Hospitals for Children Mission Statement

Provide the highest quality care to children with neuromuscular-skeletal conditions, burn injuries and certain other special health care needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.
Provide for the education of physicians and other health care professionals
Conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families

This mission is carried out without cost to patients or familes.

Public Relations

For more information about the Shriners of North America or Shriners Hospitals for Children on a corporate level, please contact our corporate public relations department.

Additionally, each hospital has a public relations director.