VALENCIA, Calif., Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield HealthCare, a leading provider of medical supplies for care at home, is pleased to announce the winners of its 13^th annual "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding" story contest, recognizing the dedicated role of professional and family caregivers.

Congratulations to the 3 grand prize story contest winners: Josie B., caregiver for her adopted son with brain damage, JoAnne G., nurse of 41 years and Danny M., caregiver for his son with special needs. The 5 runners-up are:  Eva Kay L., caregiver/home health care aide, Tamara E., caregiver for daughter with Cerebral Palsy, Yahtil W., caregiver for her mother, Tony C., caregiver for son with Glutaric Aciduria Type II and Amanda M., nurse of 17 years and caregiver for her mother. Shield HealthCare received a total of 308 caregiver stories. The top winners were selected by celebrity contest judge, Sandra Mitchell, CBS 2/KCAL 9 News Anchor.

The top three story winners received a $500 American Express Gift Card and a 1-year subscription to Today's Caregiver Magazine.  The five runners-up received $150 in American Express Gift Cards and the magazine subscription. Shield HealthCare's "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding" story contest is designed to create awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers. Shield HealthCare supports caregivers on a daily basis by providing medical supplies for quality care at home. The annual caregiver story contest is a positive way for caregivers to share inspiration with others about their triumphs over adversity, daily joys and love of caring.

Winner Danny M. wrote, "What makes it rewarding to care for someone who is physically 40 years old, but only 1 year old mentally? He will never say "I love you," he will never give us a hug or say "thank you for helping me." We will continue to change him, dress him, feed him and monitor him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will do it with love and devotion...We know that by caring for him we have given him his physical needs and the love of parents he may have never had. In return Scottie has given us the gift of being better people more attune to not only his needs, but those of others around us."

The winning caregiver stories are posted on Shield HealthCare's website at http://www.shieldhealthcare.com/caring.

Shield HealthCare also announces its 3^rd annual Readers' Choice Contest, allowing additional caregiver stories from "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?" contest to receive acclaim and recognition from the voting public. The top 3 winners selected by public vote on Shield HealthCare's website will receive $150.00 in American Express Gift Cards.  From December 18, 2013 to January 31, 2014, you can vote for one of your favorite Readers' Choice stories at: www.shieldhealthcare.com/readerschoice. Official rules are posted on this website.

About Shield HealthCare
Since 1957, Shield HealthCare has been an industry leader focused on meeting the medical supply needs of families and caregivers at home.  Shield HealthCare provides high quality disposable medical products including Incontinence, Enteral Nutrition, Ostomy, Urological and Wound supplies. Shield HealthCare operates ten locations, serving California, Colorado, Washington, Illinois and Texas.

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Contact: Gina Flores, Marketing Communications and Programs Specialist
Shield HealthCare | 27911 Franklin Parkway | Valencia, CA 91355 | 661.294.4200
www.shieldhealthcare.com

SOURCE Shield HealthCare