Shriners Hospitals for Children Announces New York Giants' Justin Pugh as National Spokesman for Game Day for LOVE Campaign

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As communities gear up for an exciting football season, Shriners Hospitals for Children® teams up with New York Giants' offensive tackle, Justin Pugh to be their national spokesman for their Game Day for LOVE™ campaign. Together they invite supporters and football fans to host Game Day for LOVE fundraising events to provide life-saving and life-changing care to kids in need of specialized medical care.

Game Day for LOVE is an easy way for football fans, businesses and communities to support Shriners Hospitals for Children's mission to transform the lives of children through its innovative pediatric special care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. From high school rivalries to pro football's biggest match ups, from season openers to the big game next year, football fans can host Game Day for LOVE events at restaurants, pre-game tailgating or even in their own homes.

Shriners Hospitals for Children provides all aspects of treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation and psychological support for children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns and cleft lip and palate. All care and services are provided regardless of the families' ability to pay.

"No matter who you cheer for on game day, I want everyone to join me in helping the kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children by hosting your own Game Day for LOVE event this fall," said Pugh. "The care that the hospitals provide to children is special and extends well beyond their tangible walls. Hosting an event is easy, and it's a small thing we can do to help transform the life of a child forever."

Justin will invite friends and fans to his own Game Day for LOVE event in New York City when his Alma Mater Syracuse University takes on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, October 25, 2014. For more on this upcoming event, follow Shriners Hospitals for Children on Facebook.

"People often ask me how they can support our hospitals," said Dale Stauss, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners Hospitals for Children. "By hosting a Game Day for LOVE event, football fans will help raise the critical funds needed to care for our young patients, many whom would not have access to the care they need without the generosity of our supporters."

For more information about how you can get involved, including a how-to guide for hosting your own event, please visit GameDayforLove.org.

About Justin Pugh:
The No. 19 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, Justin Pugh quickly became an impact player for the New York Giants. The 2014 PFWA All-Rookie selection started all 16 games on the offensive line, making him the first Giants rookie to start an entire season since Barry Cofield in 2006 and the first Giants' first-rounder to do so since Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1981. Pugh graduated from Syracuse University in 2012, where he was a two-time All-Big East First-Team selection (2011, 2012) and a team captain his senior season (2012). A native of Holland, Penn., Pugh resides in West New York, N.J.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children:
Shriners Hospitals for Children^® is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations, located in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Contact: Misti Dragano
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-263-5312

SOURCE Shriners Hospitals for Children