Every year, the spouse of the new leader of Shriners International spearheads a program to raise funds and awareness for the extraordinary care found at Shriners Children’s. This year, Jennifer “JJ” Craven, First Lady of Shriners International, is chairing Women Impacting Care. Formerly called the First Lady’s Program, the program’s new name reflects what women connected to the fraternity have always done: worked together in support of the patients and families of Shriners Children’s. The 2022–2023 theme of the program is The World Is Your Oyster, and it is designed to promote and raise funds to support the care Shriners Children’s offers for sports- and play-related injuries.
“What makes our healthcare system distinct compared to other traditional sports injury specialists are our innovative and comprehensive treatment options centering around each patient’s individual needs and goals,” JJ said.
“This year’s campaign, The World Is Your Oyster, is designed to show that we believe in our patients’ grit and determination, and in our healthcare specialists’ expertise, so that our patients can overcome challenges with endless possibilities for success and recovery.”
Help for sports injuries
Many young people participate in team and individual sports, as well activities such as dancing, running, biking and playing. Unfortunately, some suffer injuries as a result. Those injuries need to be treated differently from similar adult injuries. The medical teams at Shriners Children’s are especially attuned to an athlete’s concerns, as well as the differences between an adult’s body and that of a young, still-growing athlete.
Custom care plans
Shriners Children’s offers care for broken bones, sprains, strains, twists, tears and more. From fracture care and casting to surgery and rehabilitation for injuries involving ligaments, tendons, joints and tissues, our medical teams design custom care plans that are complemented by our physical, occupational and recreational therapy programs. Families appreciate the convenience of a single source for treatment, and children benefit from the continuity of care and collaboration.
Sometimes kids are wary of seeking treatment for pain or injuries because they are afraid they won’t be allowed to play. However, surgery and long recovery times are not always necessary. And when surgery is the best or only option, our clinical teams understand what an athlete is facing and work together to get them back in competing shape as quickly and safely as possible.
The World Is Your Oyster shines a light on the sports-injury and related care that Shriners Children’s offers by helping families learn how to access that care and by supporting Shriners Children’s as it pursues its mission of improving the lives of children.
The World Is Your Oyster
First Lady JJ invites you to join her in making an impact in the lives of our patients. Donors who would like to support Women Impacting Care may purchase unique The World Is Your Oyster products or make donations online.
“The commonality of sports puts all of us on the same team,” JJ said. We can all relate to that kind of injury, often unexpected. And to know that world-class pediatric care is available from Shriners Children’s is such a comfort to families.”
To learn more, visit shrinerschildrens.org. To schedule an appointment, call your nearest Shriners Children’s location or 1-800-235-5055.
