For those in the region

Rally to support Shriners Hospital slated for April 19

SPRINGFIELD -- Recent news that the Shriners Hospitals for Children on Carew Street in Springfield is facing the grim possibility of closing because of financial issues due to the volatility of the economy has not slowed down the energy and support from within the facility. A rally to demonstrate support for the important work the hospital does for children with muscular-skeletal issues is planned for April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield at 481 Carew St. in Springfield. The rally location is just across the street from the Shriners Hospitals for Children at 516 Carew St.

The rally is being coordinated by Friends of the Shriners Hospital. It is not a fund raising rally, but rather a rally to demonstrate the level of support the hospital has in the community.

Springfield’s Shriners Hospitals for Children employs 200 personnel and relies on an equal amount of volunteers. A $20 million dollar budget injects money on an annual basis into the Springfield regional market but that money and the unique services the hospital supplies children could cease should the non-profit facility have to close.

The Springfield-based hospital, which began operations in 1925, is one of 22 hospitals in a one-of-a-kind international health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. The Springfield location specializes in pediatric orthopaedics and the closest Shriners Hospitals for Children to offer that same specialty is in Philadelphia.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

In this unpredictable economy, now, more than ever, the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield is looking for support from the community at the April 19 rally. For more information, please contact Market Mentors at 787-1133.

[Edit, April 20, 11:10 a.m.] The small dog and I went to the rally yesterday; I signed a petition and he made some little kids very happy.

Here's some video of Mayor Sarno speaking at the rally (bad quality, I apologize):



His last line is finished "eighty-something years."

It was a really good rally -- more than 1,000 signatures were gathered. Hopefully, this shows the Shriners Board that the hospital needs to stay in Springfield.