Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of pediatric specialty hospitals, founded by the Shrine, where children under the age of 18 receive excellent medical care absolutely free of charge.
Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.) The Shrine is an international fraternity of approximately 600,000 members who belong to Shrine Temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Founded in New York City in 1872, the organization is composed solely of 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons or Knights Templar York Rite Masons.
The Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called "the heart and soul of the Shrine."
The Shrine supported various charities almost from its inception. In 1920, however, the organization voted to adopt its own official philanthropy, dedicated to providing free orthopedic medical care to children in need, and the first Shriners Hospital was built in Shreveport, La., in 1922. The Shrine's philanthropy eventually expanded to 22 "Centers of Excellence."
There is never a charge to the patient, parent or any third party for any service or medical treatment received at the hospitals, and no U.S. government funding of any kind is sought or accepted for any medical care or services provided at Shriners Hospitals.
There are 18 orthopedic Shriners Hospitals, three Shriners Hospitals dedicated to treating children with severe burns, and one Shriners Hospital that provides orthopedic, burn and spinal cord injuries. All the orthopedic hospitals are equipped and staffed to treat children with congenital orthopedic deformities, problems resulting from orthopedic injuries, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Three of the orthopedic hospitals (Chicago, Philadelphia, and Sacramento) also have special programs dedicated to caring for children with spinal cord injuries.
In a book that I am writing, I referred to the organization as Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, however, in 1996, Shrine Representatives at the Imperial Council in New Orleans voted to change the name of their philanthropy to "Shriners Hospital for Children," reflecting the expanding scope of care provided by Shriners Hospitals.
If you would like to know more about Shriners Hospital for Children, or you know of a child who could benefit from their services, visit any Shrine Temple, check out your local library, or visit them on the web at http://www.shrinershq.org.
Proceeds from my book will go to Shriners Hospitals. I am a better person because of them and all that they have done for me. Its my way of repaying them. Or at least trying to.  It's my way of saying, "thanks, from the bottom of my heart."