Latest news with #ShrinersHospital
CBS News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Philadelphia bikers spread early holiday cheer at Shriners Children's Hospital for Christmas in July Toy Run
Christmas came early for kids at Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia on Sunday as dozens of bikers from a local motorcycle club visited the kids for the 29th annual Christmas in July Toy Run. "It truly is a piece of the year that they don't forget," said Greg Passanante, an administrator at Shriners Children's Hospital It was a memorable moment for the kids, who were given toys from members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Centurions Motorcycle Club. "It's tough for them. It's a lot. Just to bring joy to them one day and the smiles on their faces, it means everything to us," Brian Cain, with the Philadelphia Centurions Motorcycle Club, said. "It's really special because it's just a big community that accepts you," said Eleanora Segal, who is a patient at the hospital. Segal said the event means the world to her and her family. "I feel really loved and appreciated," she said. Tara Segal, Eleanora's mom, added: "[It's] amazing. The joy is hard to contain. You just see all these kids, all these people coming out for these kids and this hospital. So special." In addition to donating toys, the motorcycle club has also raised nearly $900,000 since the toy run started 29 years ago. The motorcycle club also says it's raised nearly $90,000 this year alone. All of the money raised will go to the hospital. But for the bikers, bringing smiles to the kids faces was priceless.
The National
20-06-2025
- Health
- The National
'I want to run and play with my siblings': Palestinian-Jordanian girl hopes for new life after US surgery
For much of her childhood, Leen Mohammad has depended on a wheelchair and walker to move around. Born in Amman with cerebral palsy, the Palestinian-Jordanian girl has spent her life with limited mobility, often watching from the sidelines as other children run, jump and play. Now 12, Leen has travelled thousands of kilometres with her mother to Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where doctors carried out complex, six-hour surgery on her legs, offering her a new chance at mobility. 'When I start walking, I will feel so happy,' Leen told The National. 'I want to play with my siblings. I want to run. I want to go shopping with my mother.' Leen suffers from spastic quadriplegia, a severe form of cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs. The family, originally from Jenin in the occupied West Bank, have travelled to the US for medical treatment three times. In 2016, when Leen was only four, she underwent surgery at Shriners Hospital in Minnesota to help her walk, with the procedure fully covered by the hospital due to the high cost of overseas care. Four years later, in 2020, Leen and her mother travelled to St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri for a procedure known as selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a form of neurosurgery that helps reduce spasticity, a condition that causes muscle stiffness and tightness. The treatment cost about $70,000, said Leen's mother Sana'a Shllak. With no medical insurance, the family raised the funds through a GoFundMe campaign and by creating and selling handmade frames inscribed with the word "hope". 'What she has going on now is actually very common in kids with spastic quadriplegia,' explained Dr Terrence Ishmael, paediatric orthopaedic and spine surgeon at Shriners in Philadelphia, who in May carried out Leen's third operation. 'When they have surgery at a really young age, often times the clinical scenario can change as they grow, because, you know, her body and her bones are growing really quickly, but often times, her muscles and her tendons don't quite grow at the same rate. "Sometimes the bones are not aligned in the position that is the most efficient for her to walk, so it's actually very common for originally treated issues to recur again.' Leen is approaching skeletal maturity, which means the likelihood of her needing more surgery is lower than it would have been at a younger age. 'The hope is that the results we get with this procedure, or this combination of procedures, will be durable and last year into adulthood,' the surgeon added. The family expressed deep gratitude to the hospital for covering the full cost of Leen's medical treatment. They also received crucial support from Heal Palestine, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping Palestinian children rebuild their lives. 'Without Heal Palestine, the trip would not have been possible,' said Ms Shllak, who explained that the organisation funded their flights and accommodation in Philadelphia. Established on January 1 last year, Heal Palestine has been providing essential support to children affected by the Israel-Gaza war. Leen is the first Jordanian-Palestinian child the group has assisted. From struggle to strength 'It is heartbreaking. I feel lost, sad, but I need to be strong for her. I always Google about her case to choose the best for her,' said Ms Shllak. Leen was only nine months old when she fell into a six-day coma. It was then that doctors diagnosed her with cerebral palsy. For the first four years of Leen's life, Ms Shllak carried her everywhere, all while desperately searching the internet for treatment options. That's how she discovered Shriners Children's Hospital. 'The US offers more advanced treatment and equipment compared to Jordan and the doctors are experts. So I chose the US to treat my daughter," she said. Leen currently has casts on both legs, which will be removed six weeks after surgery. She and her mother are staying with a host family in the US state of Delaware and plan to return to Jordan in August. 'Once the casts come off, she'll be placed in new braces for her feet, and we expect that she'll be able to take her first steps with a walker right after having the cast removed,' said Dr Ishmael. Leen dreams of one day walking, and even running, without assistance. But given her condition, the doctor says it's difficult to predict whether she will ever be able to move entirely on her own. 'The treatment is ultimately to make her walk more efficiently, but in terms of her becoming an independent walker of any meaningful distance, it's unlikely because of her underlying condition,' said Dr Ishmael. He explained that Leen's voluntary motor control is significantly limited, affecting her upper and lower limbs. 'There are kids who have less severe cerebral palsy, who do achieve meaningful, independent ambulation with minimal assistance. But it's not clear as to whether or not Leen is one of those, and it's hard to predict,' he added. Despite the challenges, Leen's family remains determined to give her a more independent future. For them, this journey is about more than mobility - it's rooted in the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. As for Leen, no dream feels out of reach. 'When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can help kids like me,' she says with a smile.
American Press
16-05-2025
- General
- American Press
William 'Bill' Voris King
William Voris 'Bill' King, 82, of Lake Charles, La., passed away peacefully, at home, on May 13, 2025. Born on April 9, 1943, Bill was a proud lifelong resident of Lake Charles. He graduated from Sewanee Military Academy, and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Louisiana Tech University. Shortly after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served honorably during the Vietnam War era. In 1967, Bill married the love of his life, Marjorie C. 'Betty' King. Their 51-year marriage was a testament to love, partnership and enduring commitment, lasting until Betty's passing in 2018. Bill spent much of his professional life as a longtime manager of Hayes Minerals LLC. He also served as vice president of Kelly, Weber and Company, LLC. He was also involved in many oil and gas ventures across Louisiana and Texas. A 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and dedicated Shriner, Bill was deeply committed to philanthropy. He served as Chairman of the Board for the Shriners Hospital in Mexico City and made a $1,000,000 personal donation to the Shriners Hospital system. Annually, Bill made substantial contributions to several charities. In 2025, he established the Bill and Betty King Foundation, to carry forward his charitable legacy. Bill was appointed by Governor Edwin Edwards to the Louisiana Pan-American commission, served as vice chairman of the Louisiana Commerce and Industry Board under Governor Bobby Jindal and contributed as a member of Governor Jindal's natural resources transition team. A passionate outdoorsman, Bill found great joy in duck hunting and bass fishing at his beloved Coastal Club. He also supported McNeese State University athletics and served as past president of the Quarterback Club, and the 100 Club, and was a generous supporter of the Athletics Foundation. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his father, Voris King; his mother, Frances King; his brothers, Alvin, and Charles King; and his sister, Virginia Ayers. He is survived by his son, Geoff Gilbert, and wife, Tricia; and his daughter, Jackie Gilbert and wife, Suzanne, both of Austin, Texas. He also leaves behind many cherished friends, colleagues, and fellow outdoorsman across the Country. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: the Bill and Betty King foundation at 4353 Edgewater Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70605. The King family extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Gary Kohler and nurse, Peggy; Dr. Rolando Tapia; Dr. Loree Leatherman; Alanna Perkins of the VA pharmacy, and in-home caregivers Lisa Franklin, Tresa Leger, and their outstanding team. Special acknowledgment goes to Sharon Anderson, who faithfully served the King family for 49 years, and for the last several years, served as one of Bill's caregivers alongside Scott and Paulette O'Pry. Additionally, Lori Simon, and Maegan Coker are recognized for their part in Bill's care over the last several years. Additional thanks go to Attorney David Sigler, and CPA Doug Cooley for their instrumental support in the creation of the Bill and Betty King Foundation, and their many years of dedicated friendship and service. At Bill's request, a private graveside service will be held at Orange Grove, Cemetery, in Lake Charles. William Voris 'Bill' King lived a life of leadership, generosity, and deeply held values. His personality was infectious. He leaves behind a trail of people across the country that loved him. His legacy will endure through the lives he touched and the causes he championed. We invite you to leave a fond memory or sentiment of condolences on our website
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Bern Shriners host annual fish fry to raise hospital funds
NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) — The New Bern area Shriners hosted the 58th Annual Fish Fry event on Friday, Apr. 18, 2025. This event is to help fundraise for the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, which is their largest Orthopedic Hosptial in the southeast. 'We're hoping to raise somewhere around $35,000. That's after all of our expenses,' Chairman of the 58th Annual Fish Fry, Cleve Woolard said. 'So that $35,000 goes directly to the hospital. And we have a road runner's unit here that transports the patient from their home to the hospital. Don't cost them anything.' This event took place at three different locations, the New Bern Shrine on Glenburnie Rd., the Burger King on Neuse Boulevard and Glenburnie Rd., and the intersection of Hwy 306 and Hwy 55 in Grantsboro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
