[Jason]

A little old facts, but thought some may find it interesting.

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 Shriners 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.

[jvlighting1]

This is such a tremendous charity and service. My hat is off to them!

[cemab4y]

If you would like to participate in the Shrine, and work with the kids, and transport children to the hospitals, please approach your local Shrine center, and ask for a petition.

Then you can take your FEZ off to the Shrine!!