A petition to show support for the continued operation of the
Erie Shriners Hospital is currently in circulation.

The petition had 6,072 signatures as of Friday evening and was
circulating through e-mail to Shriners, as well as families and
patients who have benefited from the free care provided by Shriners
and the Shriners Hospitals.

Forwarded to The Era from McKean County Shrine Club treasurer
and Road Runners president Terry Matthews, both the e-mail and the
petition are written from the perspective of a concerned mother
whose daughter has benefited from care through Shriners Hospital in
Erie.

The mother explains her daughter has been a Shriners hospital
patient for five years and currently receives weekly therapy,
enjoying each visit. Her concern is where her child will receive
similar therapy, from professionals who make it fun for the
children, if that Shriners location is closed.

The petition is addressed to Shriner’s Hospital Board of
Trustees and reads:

“Shriner’s Hospital of Erie is a great asset to the Erie and
surrounding communities. The hospital has helped so many children
from burn victims to children born with disabilities. My daughter
has been a patient at Shriner’s Hospital for the past 5 years and I
know for her to have to start all over with a new team of doctors,
nurses and therapeutic staff would be very difficult. Many children
in the community have created bonds with the doctors, nurses,
therapeutic staff of Shriner’s Hospital of Erie. These
relationships and the environment at the Erie Shriners Hospital
have allowed the children to be treated for many conditions without
the fears that they would face in a regular hospital
environment.

Please think of the children that would be hurt so badly by the
loss of the hospital here. We need the hospital here in Erie.
Sincerely, The Undersigned.”

The petition is located at: http://www.petitiononline.com/shriners/petition.html.

Matthews, when speaking with The Era Thursday, explained that
the nearest Shriners Hospitals would be Philadelphia, Chicago,
Ill., or Lexington, Ky., if the location in Erie were to close.
Orthopedic care is offered at all three of those locations.