During the Imperial Session (annual general meeting) of Shriners International just held in Nashville, TN, Lew V. Rossner, President and Darwin Marsh, Secretary of the Shriners of BC & Yukon Child Services Society presented a major donation of $74,633.30 to Shriners International Divan Potentate, Imperial Sir Jim Cain and Shriners Hospitals for Children Chairman, Imperial Sir Jerry G. Gantt, for the care of children at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada located in Montreal.  These funds originated through the efforts of one of Gizeh’s Shrine Clubs – the Fraser Valley Shrine Club No. 11, which has been active as a Gizeh Shrine Club since 1951 in Chilliwack, BC. “Thank you to the Shriners of BC & Yukon Child Services Society, your commitment to giving access care of children in your communities is to be commended. We are extremely grateful to all the Shriners who have raised funds to support care and services at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada”, shares David Merrett, Chairman of the Board of Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada.

“We are very proud to support patient care at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada. We know that these funds will make a difference in the care and the lives of children from across Canada, from BC to Newfoundland, through specialized care for complex and chronic orthopaedic conditions”, comments Rick Hunter, President of the Fraser Valley Shrine Club No. 11.

The Shriners fraternity support their philanthropy, the network of Shriners Hospitals for Children, through a variety of fundraising activities, donations and the proceeds of wills and bequests. For children in BC and Yukon requiring medical attention for any of the orthopaedic and other pediatric specialty conditions we treat, local Shriners will support transportation and accommodation associated with medical treatment and follow-up care provided at Shriners Hospitals for Children. Depending on a child’s diagnosis, care could be directed through Shriners of British Columbia & Yukon Child Services Society to any one of the Shriners Children’s Hospitals; however, the majority of children in BC and Yukon referred to us are treated at Shriners Hospitals in Portland or Spokane and Montreal. A physician’s referral is not necessary; however each case is reviewed by a Shriners hospital doctor to determine the best course of treatment. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

“As Shriners, there is no better recognition than seeing a child’s condition improve and witnessing the parents relief and renewed hope. Annually we help more than 184 families from BC and Yukon to find the second opinion or care they need. We can do so thanks to the tremendous fundraising efforts of Shriners and the support of local communities across BC and Yukon”, concludes Lew V. Rossner, President of the Shriners of BC & Yukon Child Services Society.