Page 46 - SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN PROGRAM 2017

News | STANDARD BEARERS

Taylor Mills Crimson Chambers Elina Villemure
Chicago, Illinois Cincinnati, Ohio Erie, Pennsylvania

At a young age, Taylor Mills was diagnosed Shriners Hospital for Children—Cincinnati Shriners Hospitals for Children — Erie is
with VACTERL association, which is a non- is proud to nominate patient ambassador excited to introduce Elina Villemure as its
random association of birth defects that im- Crimson Chambers as our representative at patient ambassador to the 2017 SHC Open.
pacts multiple parts of the body. For Taylor, the 2017 SHC Open. Crimson is now 14 years Elina, age 13, from Brownstown, MI, has
the condition caused severe scoliosis, and old. been a patient of the Erie Shriners Medical
missing tibia and fibula bones on her right Center since she was adopted from Bulgaria
leg. Her leg condition left her with her foot Last July, her family survived a home fire. and brought home to America in fall of 2010.
clubbed, and she received a below the knee Although everyone made it out, Crimson Elina was born without a right leg and her left
amputation at the Chicago Shriners Hospital was burned on more than 30 percent of her leg was amputated when she was four due to
when she was about two years old. Her condi- body with second and third degree burns. missing several bones in her ankle and foot
tion also caused her right hand to be shorter, After several surgeries and intense physical since birth. She has received surgeries and
and left with only four fingers and a clubbed therapy, Crimson is learning to live her new treatment from SHC — Erie since she was
hand. life as a burn survivor. She is still receiving five years old.
treatment for scar management that will
However, Taylor does not allow her medical continue for the next few years. Elina is a delightful, friendly and active girl
condition to slow her down. Her hobbies in- who enjoys spending time with her brothers,
clude golf and spending time with family and An Arab, Alabama native, Crimson’s favorites Connor and Owen. She is one of the top
friends, and she will be attending the Univer- pastimes include rooting for the University students in her class and always earns
sity of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team, “straight A’s.” In her spare time, Elina enjoys
the fall of 2017 to study PreMed. Taylor says make-up special effects, reading, writing riding and showing horses, and showing
her career goals come from her time spent at and spending time with her parents and rabbits and chickens in 4H. She also enjoys
Shriners Hospital: she wants to someday help siblings, Cody and Graylyn. Crimson also playing the piano and singing. Whatever she
children just like herself. attended our Camp Ytiliba this summer. She tries, she does so to the best of her ability and
loved the experience and made life-long lives by the motto “never give up on anything.”
friendships. With her positive attitude and Elina is thrilled to represent Shriners Hospitals
outgoing personality she proved to be a great for Children — Erie in Las Vegas, at the
role model as well, and hopes to be a junior Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
counselor when she is older.

She and her family have become huge
supporters of Shriners Hospital for Children
and have already started fundraisers for the
hospital.

44 November 2- 5, 2017 | TPC SUMMERLIN | LAS VEGAS, NV