Shriners Hospital for Children - Tampa: The History, The Mission, and Why We Dance
As an organization, Bulls for Kids puts together a year-long fundraising effort for Shriners Hospital for Children - Tampa right here on campus, which culminates in a Dance Marathon on March 2nd. Many people are unaware of Shriners Hospitals even though it is close to home, and this article will introduce you to the history, mission, and why we dance.
The first Shriners Hospitals for Children opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana, when polio was becoming a worldwide epidemic and medical care was only available to those who could afford it, meaning that many children were at risk of contracting it. The hospital itself was founded by an international fraternal organization called The Shriners, who make it their mission to make sure that children get the care they need while fostering the values of brotherhood and personal growth. The Shriners created the model for care on which the hospital still operates today. There are 22 hospitals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico which have treated close to one million children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, and other diagnoses needing surgical care. Each hospital has its own specialty, and the one in Tampa focuses on orthopedic conditions.
Shriners Hospitals For Children aim to provide world-class care to children regardless of their ability to pay, believing that every child should have the chance to reach their full potential. They are focused not only on treating conditions, but on improving the quality of life after treatment. Through bringing love to the rescue, they help patients be kids again, and show that a diagnosis does not define a child regardless of where they come from.
Bulls For Kids is proud to support Shriners Hospitals for Children - Tampa in their mission to help children from all walks of life be the best they can be. We dance for all the children who can’t because they have yet to receive treatment and celebrate those who have been able to get their life back because of Shriners. We dance because we believe that every child is capable of greatness, and we want to support them on their journey. Everything we do is for children who are in need, because we know they can’t reach their goals without our help. We invite you to be For the Kids and #MakeYourMark. Join us in helping them discover who they can become.
Sources
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/tampa/about-us
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc
https://www.shrinersinternational.org/Shriners/Philanthropy/Hospital