Recovering from any kind of injury is often challenging, but for burn survivors, the road to healing can be very long. It’s not just lasting physical scars that need great and ongoing care; so too do the emotional and mental effects.
That’s where the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund comes in. Funded entirely by community support, the Burn Fund supports children and adults from all over B.C. who are suffering from serious burns or trauma.
“Burn survivors encounter a myriad of challenges on their road to recovery, often staying a month in the hospital during both the acute and reconstructive phases of care,” explains Randy Motkaluk, Burn Fund Lower Mainland regional director. “Many face multiple surgeries, which are often painful and require long recovery periods. There are also the life-changing physical and emotional scars to deal with, accompanied by having to cope with a considerable amount of anxiety and stress due to their injury.”
More than 1,600 children and adults from around B.C. suffering from serious burns or trauma are admitted to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn, Plastic and High Acuity Unit at Vancouver General Hospital or the Children’s Burn Program at B.C. Children’s Hospital every year. Those are only the most serious cases; many more people with burns are treated in their home communities.
Some burn survivors are unable to continue in their current job because of the level of injury they sustained, while others find it hard to be active community members because of the challenge with self-acceptance and self-image.
“First and foremost, burn survivors need our acceptance,” Motkaluk says. “Many have suffered their injury through some type of accident such as a house fire, car accident, workplace fire, or explosion. A few examples of the type of help they frequently require are financial assistance to purchase burn garments, which are worn to reduce scarring; travel assistance for their family members; and emotional support networks and access to counselling….So much support is required on many different levels.”
The B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund recently opened its new Burn Fund Centre at 3891 Main Street. The Burn Fund Centre is a home away from home for patients undergoing treatment, going through a discharge transition, or returning for follow-up treatment and for their families. It addresses a critical shortfall of short-term accommodation for people in these situations.
The eight-bedroom, fully furnished temporary residence has a communal kitchen, children’s play area, library, and laundry facilities. It’s also a place where survivors can go to take yoga classes, the centre being the home base of The Future Is Mine, a program for adult burn survivors. It provides them with support and a place to connect, be themselves, and have fun.
The Burn Fund operates many other prevention and support programs, including the annual Burn Camp for Young Burn Survivors. With the support of professional fire fighters and nurses who volunteer their time, those aged six to 18 get a chance just to be kids.
“This is all about the kids,” Motkaluk says. “We take them to the beach and hang out at the beach all day. It helps them get comfortable in their own skin.
“One woman told me that the physical scars heal with time but that you can only heal the emotional scars with love and support. She said the camp was about healing the soul.”
Then there’s the “Too Hot for Tots” program designed for parents and caregivers of children aged six and younger. The Burn Fund also provides funding to burn units throughout the province to help with equipment purchases and research projects.
The Burn Fund’s prevention and support programs could not exist without the support it receives from the Hometown Heroes Lottery.
With proceeds supporting the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, the 2016 lottery offers more than 3,000 prizes to be won.
The Grand Prize Cash Option is $2 million—the largest amount ever. The winner could choose that cash or pick from one of four Grand Prize home packages, all valued at more than $2.2 million.
The Hometown Heroes Lottery’s 50/50 Draw has gone up to $2.1 million this year from last year’s $2 million.
Your chance at winning big by supporting this crucial cause is a tremendous value, with 3 tickets for only $75, 6 tickets for $100, or 20 tickets for $275.
And if you buy sooner, you could win more. The Early Bird Prize includes your choice of a 2016 Maserati, a 2016 Tesla Model S, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Cards worth $100,000 for 12 years of Vacations, or $100,000 Cash.
The Early Bird deadline is midnight June 29.
Order tickets online at heroeslottery.com; by calling 604-648-4376 or 1-866-597-4376; by mail or fax; or in person. Visit heroeslottery.com for more information.
This story was produced by Postmedia Works on behalf of VGH & UBC Hospital (Hometown Heroes Lottery) for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.
