General Questions
Who are the Shriners?
Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are 195 temples located throughout the world.
When was the first Shriners temple (chapter) established?
Mecca Shriners was established in New York City in 1872.
Why does Shriners International have a Near Eastern theme?
Similar to college fraternities that use the Greek motif, Shriners International selected Near Eastern iconography and regalia to serve as the fraternity’s theme when it was founded in 1872. The Shriners’ red fezzes (hats) and the costumes they sometimes wear in parades pay tribute to this longstanding tradition.
What is the Shriner's connection to Shriners Hospitals?
Shriners International founded and continues to support Shriners Hospitals for Children as its official philanthropy.
How to Request Help
Children up to age 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children if there is a reasonable possibility they can benefit from the specialized services available. Acceptance is based solely on a child’s medical needs.
Call the toll-free national patient referral line at 800-237-5055 in the U.S. or 800-361-7256 in Canada. To locate a Shriners Hospital near you, visit their website at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
Shriners Hospital Info & FAQ
What is Shriners Hospitals for Children?
The 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children facilities are dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. All care and services are provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay.
Where does the money come from for Shriners Hospitals?
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Shriners Hospitals for Children relies on generous donations from Shriners, corporations and the general public to carry out its mission and improve the lives of children every day.
How can I support Shriners Hospitals for Children?
For information about ways to give to and support Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit donate2shc.org (link will open in a new tab) or call 800-241-GIFT (4438).
When did the first Shriners Hospitals for Children open?
The first Shriners Hospitals for Children opened in 1922, in Shreveport, La. The hospital focused exclusively on treating orthopedic conditions caused by polio, which was rampant at that time.
When did Shriners Hospitals begin to provide burn care?
The Shriners Hospitals for Children specializing in treatment of burns and burn-related injuries have been leaders in burn care and research since opening in the mid-1960s.
Other Information about Shriners Hospital for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children provides treatment for a full range of congenital and acquired orthopaedic conditions. Some of the most commonly treated conditions are clubfoot, limb deficiencies, deformities and discrepancies, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), and orthopaedic problems related to spina bifida, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and muscular dystrophy.
The Shriners Hospitals for Children that treat burns and burn-related injuries provide comprehensive acute, reconstructive and rehabilitative care. A multidisciplinary team works closely with patients and their families to provide support during their recovery and transition back to school and family life. Since Shriners Hospitals for Children entered the burn care field, the survival rate for children with burns over more than 50 percent of their body surface has doubled.
In the early 1980s, Shriners Hospitals for Children opened the nation’s first spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers specifically designed for children and teens. These programs provide rehabilitation designed to meet the developmental and social needs of pediatric patients and include activity-based rehabilitation techniques, aqua therapy and nutrition and fitness programs.
Learn More About Shriners Hospitals for Children