Shriners Help Children's Hospitals

Christopher E. Ritchey, owner of Curry Supply in Martinsburg, is currently the potentate of Jaffa Shriners in Altoona and vice chairman of the board of Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. In January 2024, he will become the chairman of the board.

The mission statement for the Shriners is “We treat every child regardless of their ability to pay.”

Shriners Hospitals for Children was founded in Shreveport, La., in 1922 to treat pediatric polio and burn patients.

There are 22 facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Funds raised go to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia and are used for patient care or to purchase specialized equipment. This year the fundraiser was a chicken barbecue held in September. No administration is funded by local donations.

Conditions treated at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia include orthopedics, spine and spinal cord specializing in scoliosis, craniofacial and sports medicine, cleft lip and palate.

Shriners Children’s Philadelphia has its own in-house POPS (Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services) department and manufacturing facility. Patients can be measured, fitted and rehabilitated without leaving the hospital.

Shriners Children’s Philadelphia is also known as one of the leading research facilities for the Shriner Hospital system. VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) for scoliosis was invented at Shriners Children’s Hospital System Philadelphia by Dr. Amer Samdani. VBT eliminates the need for spinal fusion in patients with this procedure.

Dr. Sean Waldron is now doing the BEAR implant at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. The BEAR implant is a new surgical technique developed by Shriner’s research to repair a torn ACL using the patient’s own blood. It is quicker to heal and stronger once it does heal.

Shriner’s Hospitals accept insured patients and, if needed, help provide financial assistance to pay the deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. They can also provide travel assistance to and from the hospital if needed through the Jaffa Shrine Roadrunner program. They also accept those who do not have insurance.

Ritchey is the third generation Freemason and Shriner. His grandfather and father were/are Freemasons and Shriners. His father is a 60-year-old member.

All three of his sons are Freemasons and Shriners, which brings them to four generations.

You must become a Free Mason before becoming a Shriner. The fraternity is based on Faith, Hope and Charity and making good men better.