ABOUT THE CAUSE

Back to the Cause was started in 2006 in St. Louis, to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children. The Cause was founded by Dave Whitman who spent a good part of his early life as a patient at Shriners in St. Louis. He was born with an orthopedic condition known as Sacral Agenesis. As a patient, he received 100% of his orthopedic care, including over 4 spinal surgeries, absolutely free from Shriners Hospital. This care spanned over 18 years of his life, and among other things, gave him the ability to walk and conduct his life in a completely normal fashion. Dave wanted to give back to the organization that so enriched his life over the years. He has brought together a group of civic minded young professionals that work on a number of volunteer initiatives across the city to develop an annual fundraiser that combined fun, music, and dance with raising awareness to the Cause of Shriners. Since its inception “Back to the Cause” has been working with other local charitable organizations to co-promote their events, and has the long term goal of starting a non-profit organization that centers on the needs of children in the St. Louis region.

ABOUT SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

Shriners Hospital free hospital care for children and are supported by the activities of the Shriners. It serves as the charitable arm of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Shriners treat all children with all pediatric orthopaedic cases, as well as burn and spinal cord injuries, and cleft palate repair. The Shrine has pioneered new treatments for these conditions. There is never any charge for treatment at a Shriners Hospital. There is no requirement for religion, race, or relationship to a Freemason. For more information: Shriners Hospital for Children.

SHRINERS TRIVIA

One of the rounds of trivia at Back to the Cause will be all about Shriners Hospital for Children.  Here are some sample questions and answers to study up on in preparation.  You may also want to go to the Shriners Hospital Website to learn more and increase your chances!

Q: What are some of the commonly treated disorders Shriners Hospital for Chldren treats?
A: clubfoot, limb deficiencies and discrepancies, scoliosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and problems related to spina bifida, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and muscular dystrophy.

Q: There are four cities which the Shriners Burn Centers are located in the United States.  Name them.
A: Galveston, Boston, Cincinnati, Sacramento.

Q: What year did Shriners Hospital for Children start treating children?
A: 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana

Q: What is the age that a child can receive treatment at Shriners Hospital for Chidren?
A: Up to the age of 18

Q: Shriners Hospital for Children does not rely on any government agencies or insurance companies, relying solely on private donations and charitable events like Back to the Cause.  What is Shriners Hospital for Children 2007 operating budget?
A: $721 million

Q: The mission of the Shriners Hospital for Children has three elements.  What are they?
A: Provide the highest quality care to children with neuromuscular-skeletal conditions, burn injuries and certain other special health care needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.

• Provide for the education of physicians and other health care professionals
• Conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families

 

Script