1. What is the total Shrine membership in North America?
More than 434,000.

2. How many Shrine Temples are there?
There are 191 Shrine Temples, or chapters, throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.

3. What was the first Shrine Temple?
Mecca Shriners, which was organized in New York City in 1879.

4. When did the first Shriners Hospitals open, and where was it located?
In 1922, in Shreveport, La.

5. Where are the burn Shriners Hospitals located, and when did they open?
Galveston, Texas, in 1966; Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1968; Boston, Mass, in 1968; and Sacramento, California, in 1977.

6. What is the purpose of Shriners Hospitals for Children?
Shriners Hospitals have a three-fold purpose; 1)TREATMENT: To save children's lives and restore their bodies to the highest level of usefulness; 2)RESEARCH: To conduct research into orthopaedic and burn care; and 3)EDUCATION: To train physicians and other medical professionals in the treatment of orthopaedic disabilities and burn injuries.

7. How much does it cost for a child to receive care at a Shriners Hospital?
Nothing! All care and services provided at Shriners Hospitals are totally without charge to the patient and family.

8. Where does the money come from to operate the 22 Shriners Hospitals?
Gifts, bequests, income from the endowment fund, hospital fund-raising events, and the annual assessment paid by every shriner.

9. Where are the Shriners three Spinal Cord Injury Centers?
Philadelphia, Pa. (opened in 1980); Chicage, Ill. (opened in 1983); and Sacramento, California. (originally opened in San Francisco in 1984).

10. What is the total 2005 budget for Shriners Hospitals for Children?
$625 million. The 2005 operating budget is$580 million, including $28 million allocated for research. The capital expenditures budget is $45 million.

11. How much of the 2005 Shriners Hospitals operating budget is used directly for patient care and research at the hospitals?
Approximately 93 percent.

12. To date, how much money has been spent operating the 22 Shriners Hospitals?
Approximately $7 billion.

13. To date, how much has been spent on construction costs for the 22 Shriners Hospitals?
Over $1.7 billion.

14. To date, how many children have been helped at the 22 Shriners Hospitals?
About 770,000.

15. In 2004, how many admissions were made to the orthopaedic hospitals?
21,940

16. In 2004, how may admissions were made to the burn hospitals?
3,885

17. In 2004 how many outpatient and outreach clinic visits were recorded at the 22 hospitals.
288,465

18. Up to what age are children admitted to Shriners Hospitals for Children?
Up to their 18th birthday.

19. What is the average length of stay at the orthopaedic hospitals?
4.1 days.

20.What is the average length of stay at the burn hospitals?
4.1 days.

21. Who owns the Shrine Hospitals?

These hospitals for children are owned and operated by the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, under the corporate name of "Shriners Hospitals for Children"

22. Who operates Shriners Hospitals?

A Board of Trustees, representing the total Nobility, is the policy making group and is responsible for the overall management. A local group of Shriners, designated as "Board of Governors," is responsible for the operation and management of each individual unit.

23. Who may be admitted?

Children of any race, color, or religion under 18 years of age, and whose parents are unable to pay for the hospitalization or outpatient treatment are admitted. There also must be reasonable possibility that the treatment will benefit the child. Infants only days and weeks old are admitted regularly, particularly to the clinics and out patient department, with parents taking children home after each visit.

24. How do I apply for my child's admission?

Any Shriner will provide an application blank which must be filled out and signed by parents or guardian, family or attending physician and the sponsoring Shriner. This form may also be obtained by writing to any of our hospitals or to any Shrine Temple. Or call 1-800-237-5055.

All figures, unless otherwise noted, are through Dec. 31, 2004.