Paul Deren of Estevan was one of three Wa Wa Shriners who were appointed to their provincial governance board, joining the five previously elected members.
All appointments are for a one-year term. The induction ceremony took place in Regina on Jan. 18 with family members present.
Deren, who has been a Shriner for seven years, is now serving a second year on the provincial executive body.
Deren said his seven-year-old grandson Carter Brown, who has benefited from the professional medical services provided by the Shriners Hospital in Montreal, addressed the Shriners during the induction session, providing them with an update on his continuing care and a recollection of his journey as he battles brittle bone disease and scoliosis.
"The Shriners are currently building a new hospital in Montreal, so Carter was there to give this cornerstone region presentation as to how the caring professional help is appreciated," said Deren, noting that Carter, who now lives in Milestone with his family that includes a two-year-old brother Finley, will continue to visit the Montreal site for some time yet for yearly reviews and future operations to correct the scoliosis.
During the installation ceremony Ken Eskdale of Regina was elected potentate for 2014.
The Shriners' hospitals provide medical care for children who have been severely burned, suffer spinal cord injuries, have orthopedic or cleft palate and lip conditions.
Over a dozen children from southeast Saskatchewan have received or are currently receiving expert medical care and corrective surgeries.
The Shriners maintain a network of 22 hospitals for specialized care, research and treatment for children under the age of 18, regardless of race, creed, colour, religion or the family's ability to pay. There are currently 68 Saskatchewan children attending Shriners' hospitals with the transportation, meals and accommodations being provided to the families through donations made by Shriners. The Wa Wa Shriners Patient Transportation Fund is a registered Canadian charity.
There are 16 Shrine clubs in Saskatchewan with a membership in excess of 900.
For more information regarding their work or to recommend a child for future medical assessment, call their toll-free line 1-866-699-9292.
Visit their website at www.wawashriners.org
