SCREENING CLINIC TO OFFER ON-SITE HOPE
FOR PARENTS, CHILDREN

The 2008 Kansas Shrine Bowl in Emporia will offer a parade, a host of family-friendly activities, and the state's premier All Star football game
But for families of children in need of the free care provided by Shriners Hospitals, the Shrine Bowl will offer something more far-reaching than just a day of fun activities. It will offer hope in the form of an opportunity to get life-changing help
For the second straight year, a free screening clinic will be held on game day to determine if a child can be helped by the medical services offered by the 22 Shrine Hospitals in North America. Shriners, medical personnel, and representatives of the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, Missouri, will be available from 9 to noon at the Flint Hills Community Health Center, 420 W. 15th in Emporia to help with the screening process.
Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director Dave Mize says the screening clinic is a natural outgrowth of the activities that surround the game itself. "There will be a lot of people coming to Emporia. We think this is a great opportunity for families to get free evaluations of kids with orthopedic challenges to get screened, and to find out if treatment at one of our hospitals is the right thing for them", he says.
Susan Bland, Public Relations Specialist at the St. Louis hospital, is herself a former Shriners Hospital patient. She is excited about coming to Emporia, and thinks the screening is a great tie-in with the football

game. "It's an opportunity for us to help families that don't know where else to turn", she says. "It's a great opportunity for us. I'll be there to talk to families, to make them feel welcome."

Bland says no pre-registration is necessary. "Just show up," she says. "Families will be greeted by Shriners, asked to fill out an application, and then be evaluated by volunteer physicians." She says patients that are accepted will most likely go to the St. Louis Hospital for treatment. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment at no charge—regardless of financial need. There is never a charge for treatment at a Shriners Hospital.
The Executive Director of the Flint Hills Community health center says the Center is excited about hosting the screening clinic. "We think it's a delightful opportunity to be of service in this way," says Lougene Marsh. "It's also a great opportunity for the community to learn more about how they can connect with the services of the Shriners Hospitals, and for people who previously were unaware of what the hospitals do to learn about them."
She says a local pediatric physician, Dr. Michael Mawdsley, and a local orthopedic doctor, Dr. Michael Yost, along with the Center's nursing staff, will conduct the screenings.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game is an annual event featuring two football teams composed of 68 of the best graduated high school players from the East and West. Kickoff for this year's game at Welch Stadium in Emporia is scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday, July 26. Proceeds from all Shrine Bowl events support the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic, burn, and spinal care to children under 18. Children are admitted free to Shriners Hospitals for Children without regard for race, religion, nationality, creed, or relationship to a Shriner.
Advance reserved chairback tickets for the game are $20.00 in advance. Adult general admission tickets are $9.00 in advance. Student tickets (K-12) are $5.00 in advance. Other Shrine Bowl events scheduled in Emporia on July 26th include an open 5K Road Race that includes 60 Cross Country All-Star Runners, a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, a giant Shrine Parade, an Arts & Crafts Fair, a Kids Fair, a High School Combine, a Poker Run for Bikes, Autos and Trucks, and a Free Fashion Show. Additional information and tickets can be purchased through the Shrine Bowl office by calling 1-800-530-5524. The Shrine Bowl web site address is ksshrine.com and the e-mail address is ksshrine@kansas.com.