Specialized care for burn victims in B.C. is located in the Lower Mainland. However, the services are for all British Columbians.
The reality is, if you suffer a severe burn, you will be sent to the Lower Mainland for treatment. That’s where many of the injured Lakeland Mills and Babine Forest Products workers were sent.
“These services are for all British Columbians,” says Bryan Burleigh of Prince George Fire Rescue Services. “Anyone from B.C. who suffers burn will go to one of these facilities.”
About 700 people suffer burns and trauma every year and need the specialized care.
The facilities are supported by the British Columbia Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund and its major fundraiser, the Hometown Heroes lottery.
“We’re big on education and making people aware that in the event of trauma, this program is there,” says Burleigh.
The fund has supported a a Young Burn Survivors Camp, with over 1,600 campers, free of charge, since 1983. Campers from six to 18 years old fly in from all over B.C. every year to attend. Run 100 per cent by professional fire fighters, nurses and adult burn survivor camp counselors that volunteer their time.
Firefighters help adult burn victims through their Future is Mine program.
The Burn Fund has given $1 million dollars to build the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn, Plastic and Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital, established a $3 million operating endowment to cover administrative costs, supported burn units and burn treatment centres across B.C., helped establish, and fund, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory and its cutting edge research, provided financial assistance of $90,000 annually to those struggling for necessary, but unfunded, burn garments and other equipment, and completed a $13.1 million capital campaign to raise the funds to build the new Burn Fund Centre – a home away from home for burn and trauma survivors.
The Professional Firefighters of B.C.’s major fundraiser for the year is the Hometown Heroes lottery.
The winner can choose one of seven grand prize packages: choose a home located in Ocean Park or Crescent Heights in South Surrey, Vancouver (False Creek), Lake Country (Okanagan), Sooke Point (Vancouver Island), and Penticton, or $2.1 million tax-free cash. The largest grand prize package is worth more than $2.6 million. For full contest details visit www.heroeslottery.com.
The Hometown Heroes lottery supports specialized services at VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver Community Health Services, and the annual Burn Camp for young burn survivors.
“The money raised from the Hometown Heroes Lottery is a significant source of revenue for VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, and it ensures the best care is available for our patients,” says Barbara Grantham, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Sixty per cent of the province’s adult trauma cases are seen in our hospitals. Lottery funds help us to continue to provide specialized adult care and equipment for those suffering from severe burn trauma.”
Ticket sales for the 2018 Hometown Heroes Lottery run until Thursday, July 12, 2018, and there are more than 3,000 prizes worth over $3.2 million, including luxury homes, vacations, and cars. Individuals can purchase their tickets on-line at www.heroeslottery.com, by phone, 604-648-4376, or 1-866-597-4376, or in-person at any London Drugs.
