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84th GAME AMBASSADORS

Duncan Wells, 10, became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Houston after being diagnosed with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. In his young life, he has been through surgeries on his neck to relieve pressure, and on his legs to correct bowing and to straighten the limbs. These surgeries help ease the orthopaedic conditions related to his dwarfism.

“I’m really excited and glad to be an ambassador for Shriners,” said Duncan. “They’ve helped me so much and now I can walk and run and even do handstands.”

“We really are grateful for all that Shriners has done for Duncan,” said his mother, Donna. “He first started going to Shriners when he was only four months old, after we were referred there for their expertise.”

Duncan, who is in the fifth grade, and his father are part of a television crew that records their church’s services for local viewing. “Duncan is both a grip and an apprentice camera operator, the youngest they’ve ever had,” Donna said.

Because of his involvement with his church, Duncan now wants to be both a preacher and a technical engineer.

Duncan is already a star for Shriners Hospitals for Children and represents the mission of helping kids defy the odds!

Sara Christenson, 15, became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Cincinnati after sustaining second- and third-degree burns on both hands when she touched the front of a hot oven when she was nine months old. Since being referred to Shriners Hospitals, Sara has received skin grafts on both hands and has had seven surgeries to expand the skin grafts.

Now a freshman in high school, Sara is busier than the average teenager. She plays flute in the school’s symphonic and marching bands, and she loves art. In addition to teaching Sunday school and being involved in her youth group, Sara is active in her school’s Key Club, a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Most impressively, Sara is her freshman class president, making her a prominent face among her peers.

Despite a busy school schedule, Sara continues her involvement with Shriners Hospitals. She is a Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) volunteer and she became a patient ambassador for the Cincinnati Shriners Hospital in May 2008. Sara has participated in numerous speaking engagements on behalf of the health care system, including the 2008 Imperial Council Session, the annual international Shriners convention.

Public speaking engagements are Sara’s way of giving back to the health care system that has given her the ability to do just about anything – even text message and type at teenager speed. “Shriners isn’t just a hospital; it’s a hope for a better and brighter future,” said Sara.

As for future plans, Sara hopes to become a child life specialist or work in the public relations field.

Kate Hickman, 12, became a patient at the Galveston Shriners Hospital three years ago, after sustaining second- and third-degree burns when a candle ignited her dress. Her abdomen, parts of her chest, thigh and both arms were affected. Kate’s father, Timothy, is a physician who, through the Texas Medical Center, learned about the expert pediatric burn care available at the Galveston Shriners Hospital.

“From the moment we stepped through the door, we felt like Kate's care could not have been any better,” said Dr. Hickman. “The doctors, nurses and support staff were excellent, informative and caring.”

Kate’s medical team provided excellent medical and surgical care, and carefully outlined a treatment plan to get Kate and the rest of her family through the ordeal.

“We weren’t even aware of Shriners Hospitals until we arrived there with Kate,” said her father. Her mom, Lisa, says that now, every time she sees a Shriner wearing his fez, she thanks them for what they do for children.

Today, Kate is an outgoing, fun-loving 5th grader who loves to sing and dance, play sports and hang out with friends. Her family calls her “Kate the Great.”

"I feel that Shriners is a great hospital — the staff is wonderful and so kind,” said Kate. “Going through this was the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. I'm still the same “Kate the Great” that I have always been. I am very honored to represent Shriners."