Howard R. cares for his daughter in Boulder, Colo.

[SHC] – Valencia-based Shield HealthCare, a leading provider of medical supplies for care at home, announces its 12th annual story contest on “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” The story contest is designed to recognize and provide an inspirational forum for the voice of caregivers and home healthcare professionals. Sandra Mitchell, KCAL 9/CBS 2 News Anchor is this year’s celebrity contest judge.

Shield HealthCare appreciates that caregiving is a very demanding job, since a significant number of its customers are family caregivers at home, tending to loved ones with chronic medical conditions. They unselfishly devote themselves to the responsibility of meeting the daily health and emotional needs of the person in their care, whether a special needs child or an elderly patient. Shield HealthCare’s annual caregiver story contest is a positive way to recognize and reward this important role, often underestimated in today’s busy society. The contest runs through November 30, 2012, in celebration of National Family Caregiver’s Month.

Last year’s grand prize winners included two fathers of special needs children and a daughter caring for her elderly mother with dementia.

Winner Matt G., father of two boys with Fragile X Syndrome, wrote: “I have forever been changed by two souls that struggled to roll over and sit up or use a spoon, but always had a smile on their faces.  I watched them take steps, at two and a half, but they did it.  I was so proud to be part of that moment; it was like a privilege to see those boys who struggled in physical therapy for years apply what they learned to walk. They are both on their way to living a happy life and taught their father a lesson in humility, graciousness and perspective.”

The top three story winners will receive $1,000 in American Express Gift Checks and a 1-year subscription to Today’s Caregiver Magazine.  The five runners-up will also be awarded the magazine subscription and $250 in American Express Gift Checks.  All contest entries must be one page, emailed to caring@shieldhealthcare.com, submitted via online entry form or mailed and postmarked by November 30, 2012. Full contest details and official rules are available on Shield HealthCare’s website at http://www.shieldhealthcare.com/caring/caregiverstory/2012.

About Shield HealthCare

Since 1957, Shield HealthCare has held an industry leader position focused on meeting the disposable medical supply needs of families and caregivers at home, delivering exceptional customer satisfaction. Shield HealthCare provides high quality medical products including incontinence supplies, enteral nutrition, ostomy, urological, wound care and diabetes testing supplies. In 2007 and again in 2010, Shield HealthCare was granted formal accreditation status by the Community Health Accreditation Program’s (CHAP) Board of Review signifying its commitment as a leader in providing superior products and service to the home healthcare market. Shield HealthCare operates ten sales locations, serving California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas and Washington.