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Area needs Shriners Hospital

The Spokesman-Review

I am able to walk today because of Shriners Hospital in Spokane. I was born with a severe club foot and as a result had eight surgeries. My surgeries and care were free of charge; my parents never had to pay a penny. I am indebted to the Spokane Shriners Hospital; without them my life would have been quite different.

Like so many, I was saddened when I heard the news of the possible closure of the Shriners Hospital-Spokane. While I understand the Shriners organization’s financial dilemma, I do not want our hospital to be closed. Our hospital services a huge territory. The closest Shriners hospital is in Portland and they have an 18-month waiting list already. The next closest is in Salt Lake City. There are 770.82 miles between those two hospitals. There are some distinctive attributes our Spokane hospital provides including geography, history, small-town feel, specialty doctors and research.

I know the Spokane Shriners Hospital may not be unique in its quality of care. I only know the unique quality of care I received over the 17 years I was a patient. Please help us keep our Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane.

Patricia Santa Rosa-Flint

Spokane

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