Shriners Hospital Planning Reunion To Mark Years Of Care

On Nov. 15, 1924, the Spokane Shriners Hospital for Children opened its doors, admitting 12 patients the first day, including an 11-year old Spokane boy battling tuberculosis.

In those early years, Shriners Hospitals were considered houses of mercy for families unable to care for their children who were often victims of polio and incurable infections.

Nationwide there are now 22 hospitals in the Shriners system specializing in children’s orthopedic care. The state-of-the-art facilities are still houses of mercy since they continue to provide services to all patients at no charge.

Nationwide this year, Shriners Hospitals for Children celebrates 75 years of care. The Spokane hospital will commemorate the occasion with an anniversary reunion on July 12.

Shriners hope to identify and honor the first patients from 1924, with a special honor granted to the earliest surviving patient.

“We only know of about a handful of patients who were here the first couple of years we were open,” says Chuck Young, administrator of the local hospital. “But we would like to find as many of those early patients as possible.

“Their reminiscences would be invaluable, and we’d like to get their stories before it’s too late.”

Current and former patients and their families, along with staff, volunteers and members of Shrine organizations, are invited to the free celebration at the hospital, 911 W. Fifth. There will be an open house from 1 to 5 p.m., with tours, presentations, entertainment and refreshments.

Shriners hospitals comprise the single largest children’s health charity in the world, providing more than $400 million in medical care each year. Charitable contributions come from individuals, community groups and the fund-raising fraternity known as Shrine of North America.

For more information on the Spokane Shriners Hospital reunion, call 455-7844.

Fund-raiser

Celebrate the summer solstice and help raise funds for critically ill children in Spokane-area hospitals.

Longest Day Walk for the Kids will be June 19 and be sponsored by Credit Unions for Kids, the Spokane chapter of credit unions whose primary goal is to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Event organizers chose solstice, the longest day of the year, to signify their hope the walkathon will raise money for treatments and cures that will add precious days to the lives of children with critical illnesses.

More than 100 credit union staff, volunteers, members and friends will participate in the local event, which is part of a statewide walkathon.

The public is invited to walk along, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Witter Pool on the corner of Mission and Perry. Walkers will follow a three-mile loop west on the scenic Centennial Trail.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser will remain in our community to help children served by Children’s Miracle Network hospitals: Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center, Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Deer Park Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah, Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville and the Regional Center for Child Abuse and Neglect. These hospitals provide critical care for patients regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Walkathon participants are asked to pledge a minimum of $25. To make a pledge, visit your local credit union.

For additional information, call Cynthia Pace at 455-4067.

Couples

Strengthen communication with your spouse while adding romance and excitement to your marriage.

Couples of all faiths are invited to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend, June 27-29, at Spokane’s Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.

The weekend is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a nonprofit organization endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church. The weekend offers an opportunity for growth as a couple and spiritual renewal that transcends denomination.

Registration fee is $30.

While there is no cost for the retreat, a freewill offering will be taken at the close of the weekend.

For more information, or to register, call 484-5683.

Health notes

The Sandwich Generation is a community program offering important information and support for caregivers of aging parents.

The one-day seminar will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday and will be sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center.

A panel of health professionals will present coping strategies in caring for your aging loved one and ideas for creating support systems.

The class will be at Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Classroom A. Bring your own lunch. Beverages will be provided.

The cost is $5. To register, call 744-7666.

, DataTimes MEMO: Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman-Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.