COOS BAY - Area youngsters, who may be suffering from orthopaedic problems, may be a step closer to getting treatment, thanks to the local Shrine Club.

A handful of kids participated in a free screening clinic at Bay Area Hospital on Saturday.

Hosted by the Coos County Shrine Club, it helps spread the word about Shriners Hospitals and what they can do for kids suffering from back or spinal injuries, among others, regardless of insurance status.

"These hospitals provide care for kids whenever they get identified up until they become 18," says Tom Shine of the Coos County Shrine Club. "In a lot of cases that means multiple surgeries for kids that are growing with orthopaedic problems, burn injuries. It takes a lot of repetitive visits. It's all free."

Former patient Elizabeth Hanson of Coquille had only good things to say about her experience, after she was treated in Portland for scoliosis in 2005.

"The staff is just wonderful," says Hanson. "You can't have a better staff. They show that they care for the kids and you look forward to going back."

Hanson is currently serving as the West Queen for the Oregon Shriners East West football game, a fundraising event that will be held in Baker City on Aug. 2. She even has plans to be a nurse at the Shriners Hospital that helped her.

To learn more about these hospitals, call (541) 297-0086. Currently, there are more than 22 of them in North America.