Collaborating Fore a Good Cause

As part of both locations’ 100-year anniversary celebrations last year, Shriners Children’s Spokane and Shriners Children’s Portland joined forces to host the inaugural Shriners Children’s Northwest Classic Golf Tournament at the Nile Shrine Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. The tournament returned this year to bring even more swings, smiles and support for these two locations.

More than 125 golfers, Shriners, patients and families came together to play golf and raise money for Shriners Children’s. The Nile Shriners graciously donated the course and carts for the day to help make this growing golf classic the success that it is.

One of the most notable aspects of this tournament – and many of the players’ favorite – is the chance to spend time with Shriners Children’s patients and their families.

All from the Seattle area, these patients greeted players, took photos with them and walked them through a fun chipping game for a chance to win prizes. They also shared their inspiring stories, providing face-to-face interactions with those who benefit the most from their donations.

Patient Ambassador Rilynn and her mom, Janell, were featured speakers at the close of the event, sharing their story of the care Rilynn received since she was a baby. Having fibular hemimelia, she was born without major bones in her legs. Shriners Children’s Portland’s physicians and Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) team have been with Rilynn for every step of her journey. POPS has been integral in her care, having fitted her with 10 sets of prosthetic legs so far.

“The support of the staff at Shriners Children’s has been the most helpful part of my ongoing treatment,” said 11-year-old Rilynn. “I feel at home with them.”

“Every person at the hospital plays a part, and they give themselves as if we were family. We chose Shriners Children’s because we knew she would need amputations, we need prosthetics care … we did our research, and we knew that Shriners Children’s is the best care for pediatrics,” said Janell.

This year’s tournament raised more than $30,000, a large jump from last year’s nearly $20,000. All proceeds will be split evenly between the two hospitals, which will help benefit the more than 18,000 children and families throughout the Pacific and Inland Northwest who receive care from Shriners Children’s Spokane and Shriners Children’s Portland.

As Shriners Children’s Portland and Shriners Children’s Spokane step into their next century of care, events like the Northwest Classic demonstrate the crucial role collaboration plays in making a big impact.