East-West Shrine Bowl: Memories of Amazing Care

Things came full circle for Daisy, a former Shriners Children’s patient, when she recently attended the 99th East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas. Her love of sports, the city she calls home, and the memories of her medical journey with Shriners Children’s were all colliding in one place, the Ford Center at The Star Stadium.

Daisy was a patient at two Shriners Children’s facilities throughout her childhood after being born with clubfoot, a condition where the foot points down and turns inward instead of being straight. Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Daisy’s family brought her to the Chicago location for treatment as a baby. Then, when her family moved to Texas, Shriners Children’s Texas became her second home and family.

“As a child, you don’t know what’s going on, but I remember not being scared and feeling comfortable,” Daisy said while noting that she had surgery when she was 6 months old, 6 years old and when she was 10.

“My parents didn’t have to worry about the burden of potential financial restraints, and I remember the staff being able to assure them and calm them down throughout my treatment. There truly was a whole village taking care of me. The only reason I am able to do what I love today is because of Shriners Children’s.”

Daisy currently lives in the Dallas area, where she interned with the Dallas Cowboys before starting her career in media and college sports. She said that when she found out the bowl game would be played in Frisco for the first time ever, she knew she had to attend.

“It’s awesome to see these players stand behind such an amazing mission,” she said. “I want all Shriners Children’s patients to know that it does get better, and the care they provide will allow you to do the things you want to do throughout your life.”

The East-West Shrine Bowl benefits Shriners Children’s life-changing mission of providing care to more than 1.5 million children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, and other conditions. Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has highlighted the next generation of NFL legends. Many of the National Football League’s most recognized and decorated players, including Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway, Gale Sayers and Jimmy Garoppolo, have played in the game.