GALVESTON, Texas -- It was a somber day for hundreds of Shriners Hospital employees and burn patients in Galveston. Many emerged from a nearly two-hour meeting with the CEO of the hospital feeling like they have lost everything, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

"They don't care. I'm feeling they don't care about lives or about the kids," said an emotional Diana Salinas, who has worked as a nursing assistant at Shriners for the past two years.

Her daughter was even more upset about the hospital putting so many people out of work after it was devastated by Hurricane Ike.

"I really feel what they're doing is inhumane. They're sort of taking the easy way out, kicking you while you're down," said Cindy Lu Salinas who is a patient care coordinator.

No one with Shriners Hospital would comment, but last week hospital administrator John Swartwout said that the emergency measure was being taken because Shriners had suffered as a result of Hurricane Ike and the downturn in the economy.

The mayor of Galveston called the hospital's decision to suspend operations a huge blow.

"So many people out of work affects not only them, it's also a severe economic blow to the city," said Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas.

She is hopeful that the community will be able to raise private funds and donations to keep the hospital operating.

Meanwhile, some young burn patients and their families are trying to plan their next move.

Shriners officials have told them they could seek treatment at their facilities in Cincinnati and other cities.

That isn't an easy decision for Kechi Okwuchi, 19, who survived a Nigerian plane crash with burns covering 60 percent of her body.

"Where I am right now is a big step from where I was before," said Kechi. "There are kids that need even more help than I did and they haven't gotten it yet, and their closing now is not giving them a chance."

More Information:

Save Shriner's Burn Hospital Web Site
Galveston Shriner's Hospital Web Site
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