Human Interest
Young Patients Give Up Gifts To Support Shriners Hospital
By
Aug 13, 2005, 17:27

(NAPSI)-For most children, nothing is better than a birthday party filled with presents and cake. For two young Shriners Hospitals patients, however, a birthday party filled with cake and gifts for Shriners Hospitals is much better.

When Justine Riegel turned 16, there was no question in her mind what she wanted for her birthday. Instead of gifts for her, she requested her friends give donations to Shriners Hospitals, where she had been receiving treatment since she was a baby.

"She knows she's very lucky," said her mother, Janice Riegel. "She is thankful that the Shriners were there to help her out when she needed them. And it didn't cost us a penny."

Justine was diagnosed with bilateral developmental dislocated hips (DDH) at 16 months old, and has endured four major hip surgeries throughout her life. Through physical therapy and conditioning, Justine is now an active teenager. She plays goalie for both her soccer team and hockey team.

At her sweet 16 party, 20 of Justine's classmates and friends raised nearly $300 for Shriners Hospitals, making it even sweeter.

Like Justine, Tampa Hospital patient Leigh Marie Dittman wanted to "help all the Shriners kids" with monetary donations instead of gifts at her fourth birthday party. She was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta before she was born.

Almost 40 people attended the party, but even those who couldn't make it donated something. Leigh created a colorful box for guests to put their donations and at the end of the day more than $3000 was raised.

"They helped her, so she wanted to help them," said Leigh's mother, Ellen.

Ellen said donations from friends and family are still coming in. She recently received a check for $1500 for Shriners Hospitals.

For more information on Shriners' network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services totally free of charge to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. Treatment is provided to children under age 18 without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner.

If you know a child whom Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States or 1-800-361-7256 in Canada.


Justine Riegel presents checks to Debbie Armstrong, RN (left) and Dr. James McCarthy.

© Copyright by EveningsNews.com