Thirteen-year-old Alyssa had cancer on her spine. Surgery to remove the cancer left her with the equivalent of a spinal cord injury. Through research, Alyssa and her family found Shriners Children’s Northern California and sought help. Because of the multi-disciplinary expertise and care she received, she’s able to move more freely and stand — and has even become a competitive athlete. Shriners Children’s helped open the world back up for Alyssa.   

“It’s widely known that we accept all children in need of our specialty services, regardless of their ability to pay, but what’s not as well-known is that we’re one of the best-quality hospitals in the country as recognized by U.S. News & World Report,” says Alan Anderson, director of development for Shriners Children’s Northern California. “Many people wrongly assume that families primarily come to us out of need, but we’re often their first choice regardless of finances.”

“All the money we raise enables us to do something amazing,” Anderson continues. “We invest in the very best specialists in their fields who provide their services to all kids. Therefore, we offer the very best care available anywhere and a family’s quality of their insurance or ability to pay is not a factor.”

Shriners Children’s has been serving children for nearly 100 years. Today, the Northern California Shriners Hospital specializes in acute burns, pediatric surgery, spinal cord injury and acute rehabilitation as well as orthopedics, with some specialties serving all of western North America.

“Our life-changing services look at the whole picture for each child with a variety of professional lenses coming together to contribute to the child’s patient care plan,” Anderson says. “Our specialists ensure the child and family are part of all decision-making for the best outcome and a bright future.”