The East-West Shrine Game: More Than Just a Game

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1 The East-West Shrine Game: More Than Just a Game The East-West Shrine Game has been a staple of college football since 1925 and is the longest running college all-star game in the nation. The game has consistently proven to be a successful starting point for players seeking a professional career in football. More than 300 East-West Shrine Game alumni are on NFL rosters each year. The game s executive director, Harold Richardson, a former NFL general manager and coach, is confident that the game is noticed by the appropriate decision makers, and said, With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during the week of the game, our players have the best opportunity to showcase their talents and receive their first glimpse of life in the NFL. For more than 90 years, some of the best collegiate football players from across the United States and Canada have participated in the East-West Shrine Game. Currently, more than 70 game alumni have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and more than 200 have a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Many of the NFL s most recognized and decorated players, including Tom Brady, Brett Favre and John Elway, have competed on the East-West gridiron. A Football Tradition with a Serious Mission In addition to serving as one of the NFL s primary sources for players, the East-West Shrine Game benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children, and helps support its three-part mission of providing expert specialty care to children, conducting innovative research and offering educational opportunities to medical professionals. The most important pre-game tradition is the team visit to a Shriners Hospital, which gives the players an opportunity to witness firsthand the true purpose of the game. Going to the hospital was a very humbling experience, said Baltimore Ravens player and East-West Shrine Game alumni, Trent Steelman. Those kids have more courage and tenacity than any football player I know, and that I will never forget. The 93rd annual East-West Shrine Game will take place Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network with a kickoff time of 3 p.m. EST. General Admission tickets are available for advance purchase on shrinegame.com and on game day at Tropicana Field Box Offices. Mobile rosters and coach information is available at: shrinegame.com Follow us on social media: facebook.com/shrinegame twitter.com/shrine_game #ShrineGame #MoreThanJustAGame

2 Meet Alec, Shriners Hospitals for Children Superstar You may recognize 15-year-old Alec from the various commercials for Shriners Hospitals for Children that have aired nationally. Alec, a patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children Chicago, has become a popular television star, been interviewed on numerous national news and talk shows, and has captured the hearts of many with his adorable smile and charming personality. The Story Behind the Star Alec lives in the suburbs of Chicago, and is quite the active teenager. From playing wheelchair softball and basketball, to assistant coaching tee-ball, he loves just about any sport. However, because he has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, Alec s approach to his favorite activities is a little different. OI is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that can frequently and easily break, which can make it hard for Alec to participate in sports. The underlying cause of OI is a lack of collagen or abnormal collagen in the bones that prevents them from absorbing appropriate minerals and developing correctly. As a patient of the Chicago Shriners Hospital, Alec receives intravenous (IV) infusions of pamidronate, a medication that slows down the process of bone resorption and improves bone mass. He also routinely visits the hospital for physical therapy. Thanks to the outstanding care and innovative treatment Alec receives at the Chicago Shriners Hospital, his muscles are strengthening and his bones are breaking less often. This provides Alec with more opportunities to indulge in his passion for sports. Alec often participates in up to four hours of sports a day; his mother, Alma, works hard to ensure his homework and physical therapy are done, as well. They manage to fit it all in. Alec has been coming to the Chicago Shriners Hospital for treatment since Since then, he has made great progress thanks to his customized treatment with our rehabilitation specialists. Alec s mom is grateful for the excellent care her son has received. If there is a number system to rate the hospital from one to 10, I d give it a 16, she said. They are always working with him and pushing him to work hard. Currently, Alec is building more strength and increasing muscle development through aquatic therapy. The hospital s therapists work with Alec in a temperaturecontrolled hydrotherapy pool using aquatic treadmills and other equipment. Tapping into Alec s love for sports, his therapist has even incorporated water basketball into rehabilitation sessions. The hospital also helped provide Alec with a customized, adaptive bicycle. While riding the bike is fun, it also helps strengthen his muscles, to help prevent future bone fractures. According to Alma, these unique treatments, specifically designed for Alec, have allowed him to gain more independence. He continues to work on increasing his mobility. Shriners Hospitals for Children Helping Dreams Become Reality Thanks to the health care system s focus on improving the quality of life of patients and families, Alec has developed a level of confidence that has opened up a world of opportunities. Knowing that Alec hopes to be a sports broadcaster someday, the hospital staff has done what it can to encourage faith in that dream. During the NFL Draft weeks in 2015 and 2016, patients of the Chicago Shriners Hospital had the chance to experience the excitement of the draft first-hand when players visited during a Prospect Community Visit. As a special surprise, Alec was given the opportunity to conduct interviews with NFL Draft prospects, which were featured on the NFL website. Alec has also appeared in national commercials for Shriners Hospitals for Children, representing the many patients whose lives have been changed forever by the health care system. Alec is a great voice for Shriners Hospitals for Children, and continues to share his appreciation everywhere he goes. Without Shriners Hospitals for Children, I wouldn t be able to dream as big as I do, said Alec. I know anything is possible because the staff remind me all the time that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I live a full life because of Shriners Hospitals. Alec is just one of the more than 1.3 million children who have benefited from the hope and healing found at Shriners Hospitals for Children. To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. OSNOV17MASH

3 Free To Be Me The Stories of Isabella and Emily Every year, Shriners Hospitals for Children selects two National Patient Ambassadors to represent the health care system s patients. The ambassadors spend the year telling their stories of perseverance in the face of adversity and the ways Shriners Hospitals for Children has made a dramatic, life-changing difference in their lives. We would like to introduce our two new ambassadors: Isabella Rose From birth, Isabella had difficulty feeding and sleeping. Her parents, Roselyne and Tim, went from doctor to doctor seeking answers, but no one could identify a cause. As she grew, her parents became convinced that something was seriously wrong. Isabella s speech sounded like she was whistling and she had ear infections constantly. Searching for Answers For five years, Roselyne and Tim sought answers for their little girl but continued to be unable to obtain even a cause or a diagnosis. Some professionals thought Isabella was cognitively impaired; others thought she was deaf. One day a family friend in the Chicago area heard about the issues Isabella was facing and suggested the family apply for treatment for Isabella at Shriners Hospitals for Children Chicago. The family did not know at the time that their friend s father was Dick Anderson, a member of Medinah Shriners and, at the time, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital in Chicago. Anderson was glad to be of help. He has said that helping Isabella and her family find the help they needed was lifechanging, and that he wished all the Shriners understood the impact they can have on the health care system s patients and families. At their first appointment, an interdisciplinary team of professionals assessed Isabella and, within minutes, provided a diagnosis. Isabella had a submucous cleft palate, a form of cleft palate that is not easily identifiable, as the palate is covered by a thin membrane. It felt like the whole world came down on us; we finally knew the diagnosis, said Roselyne. Isabella was scheduled for surgery to repair the cleft and subsequently received speech therapy for two years. Finding Her Own Voice Isabella, now 14, lives in Florida with her family. She has gone from struggling to be understood to becoming a gifted vocalist, and hopes to perform professionally one day. Isabella volunteers at a local veterinary hospital, pet sits and babysits. She enjoys painting, poetry and outdoor activities. She also actively seeks ways to give back to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Emily Mellish Emily s mother, Joy, did not experience significant issues during pregnancy, but moments after Emily was born, that changed. Emily was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in a larger city only hours after birth, and spent her first two weeks in the NICU, where doctors gave her a complete assessment. Emily was born with spina bifida, as well as severe scoliosis (missing eight ribs on her left side) a leg-length discrepancy, additional orthopaedic conditions, bladder and kidney problems and other issues. When she was 6 weeks old, Emily had surgery to close the defect over her spinal cord. The following day, a long list of serious complications began, keeping her in the hospital for 28 days. During this time, the Mellishes learned about Shriners Hospitals for Children from a close friend. It was comforting to know that even before I needed to worry about a place to take her orthopaedically, that someone had come forward and said there was a place where Emily would be taken care of, said Joy. Finding the Right Team Emily was first seen at Shriners Hospitals for Children Erie when she was approximately 6 months old. There, she has undergone several surgeries. Other surgeries, including a VEPTR (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) procedure, which stabilizes the spinal curve and levels growth, were done through a collaboration between Shriners Hospitals for Children and Children s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Emily has also been seen at Shriners Hospitals for Children Philadelphia, where external fixators were used to straighten Emily s leg at the knee, and increase leg length. After this, she was able to ride a bicycle for the very first time. Emily always amazes her doctors with her no limits attitude. Giving Back with Beads 4 Needs Today, Emily is an energetic and sociable 12-year-old. She loves dancing, swimming, painting pottery and public speaking. In 2012, she started Beads 4 Needs, an endeavor dedicated to raising funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children through bracelet and photograph print sales, and has raised more than $100,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Without Shriners Hospitals for Children Emily would not be Emily, she would be forced into a box, said Joy. With Shriners Hospitals there are no limits to what she can do. To learn more about Isabella and Emily, please visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/media-resources or youtube.com/user/shrinershospitals. OSNOV17FTBM

4 Shriners Hospitals for Children Provides Hope and Healing Through Care, Research and Education Shriners Hospitals for Children is a unique health care system with a reputation for finding answers, and giving families hope. At our 22 locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, children receive expert care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families ability to pay for services. Since opening our first hospital in 1922, we have provided care to more than 1.3 million children, regardless of the families ability to pay. A Tradition of Providing State-of-the-Art Specialty Care In the 1920s, the first Shriners Hospital was opened primarily to help children who had contracted polio. Today, the majority of our 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children provide care for children with all types of orthopaedic conditions, including clubfoot, hip disorders, limb deficiencies and deformities, scoliosis, and orthopaedic difficulties related to cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions. Aware of a need for medical expertise in pediatric burn care, we opened three hospitals specializing in acute and rehabilitative burn care in the mid-1960s. These are the only hospitals that were initially established exclusively for the treatment of pediatric burns and related conditions. A fourth hospital in our health care system offers treatment in all four of our care disciplines, including burns. These hospitals continue to be pioneers in pediatric burn treatment and research and are recognized as leaders in the development of improved and innovative treatment techniques. In the early 1980s, our organization opened the nation s first pediatric spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers. There, patients have access to a complete range of services needed to recover to the fullest extent possible. Cleft lip and palate is the health care system s fourth service line. Facial clefts are one of the most common birth defects in the U.S. Despite the frequency of its occurrence, and the severity of the deformities, comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip and palate can be difficult to obtain. Shriners Hospitals for Children is committed to improving care for children with this condition through a coordinated program of clinical excellence, teaching and research. Groundbreaking Research and Discoveries Shriners Hospitals for Children strives to discover answers that will one day improve lives by conducting high-quality, innovative research, especially in the areas of burns, orthopaedic/ musculoskeletal and neurological injury and disease. Over time, our researchers have made significant breakthroughs in all four of our service lines, improving the care and quality of life for countless children worldwide, while adding to the global body of medical knowledge. Educating the Health Care Professionals of Tomorrow We are also proud of our role in medical education. By maintaining relationships with several medical teaching facilities, Shriners Hospitals for Children fosters an academic environment committed to providing superior education for medical professionals and expert care to all patients. Eligibility Admission to our hospitals is based solely on medical need. All children, under the age of 18, are eligible for care if there is a reasonable possibility they could benefit from the specialized services available. All services are provided regardless of the ability to pay. Be Part of Our Mission At all Shriners Hospitals for Children locations, our patients receive both expert treatment and support that encourages healthy, independent lives. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our health care system relies on the generosity of donors to carry out this mission of improving the lives of children. To learn how you can support our efforts, visit donate2shc.org or call OSMAY16SHFC

5 Shriners Hospitals for Children: Experts in Pediatric Specialty Care Since the first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922, we have been on a mission to improve the lives of children by providing world-class pediatric specialty care. Today, Shriners Hospitals for Children is a unique health care system with a reputation for finding answers, and giving families hope. At our 22 locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, children receive expert care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families ability to pay for services. Leading the Way in Orthopaedics The first Shriners Hospital was opened primarily to help children who had contracted polio. Now, the majority of our Shriners Hospitals for Children locations are staffed and equipped to handle virtually all pediatric orthopaedic problems, including sub-acute trauma. Care for children with all types of orthopaedic conditions is provided, including clubfoot; Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and other hip disorders; hand disorders; limb deficiencies and discrepancies; scoliosis (curvature of the spine); osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease); juvenile idiopathic arthritis; and orthopaedic difficulties related to cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other neuromuscular conditions. Shriners Hospitals for Children also offers a range of multidisciplinary services, including physical, occupational and recreation therapies; orthotics and prosthetics; child life activities; and transitions programs to help each child grow into a happy, healthy, productive adult. Pioneering Burn Care and Research The Shriners Hospitals for Children specializing in burns have been leaders in burn care, research and education since opening in the mid-1960s. Thanks to the innovative medical care provided at these hospitals, every year thousands of children have a greater chance of surviving all types of burn injuries. Some of the advances made through our research efforts include improved survival rates, creation of pressure garments to minimize scarring, and development of engineered skin and better woundhealing techniques. Shriners Hospitals provide critical, surgical and rehabilitative care for all degrees of burn injuries. Each state-of-the-art hospital offering burn care provides treatments for: acute and sub-acute burns; healed burns; scarring that has caused contractures or limited mobility; smoke inhalation; facial scarring or deformities; and other skin conditions. Our locations have the capacity to provide laser treatments to lessen the effects and appearance of burn-related scarring. Delivering Excellence in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Shriners Hospitals for Children was the first health care system in the country to develop spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs specifically for children. We offer innovative therapies, emotional support, and training in independent living skills. In addition to therapy, exercise and activity-based rehabilitation are emphasized. These activities also increase strength and stamina and enhance social interaction, confidence and independence. Providing Expertise in Cleft Lip and Palate Care Cleft lip and palate occurs when the tissue that forms the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to join together before birth. At Shriners Hospitals for Children, patients with a cleft lip and/or palate are treated by a multidisciplinary team that works to improve the child s appearance and their ability to eat, breathe and communicate. Each patient s unique treatment plan may include surgery, orthodontics, and hearing, speech and psychological therapies to restore optimal function and appearance. Our goal is to help each child achieve optimal function, improve their facial appearance to the fullest extent possible, and restore their self-esteem. To learn how to refer a child, please visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or call the patient referral line at in the U.S., or in Canada. OSSEPT16SHFC