$1 million gift from the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund will transform child-centred burn care at BC Children’s Hospital

For patients enduring the physical and emotional trauma of burn injuries, funding will enhance their treatment, healing and recovery through specialized physical and emotional care

Vancouver, B.C., June 14, 2022 – An incredible commitment of $1 million has been made to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation from the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund to support specialized care for young patients with burn injuries in BC. The newly named BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Care Suite will be upgraded and enhanced to better meet patient needs, creating a purposeful environment that promotes healing and recovery.

Each year, BC Children’s Hospital sees more than 900 kids for new burn injuries and follow up treatment. Children with burn injuries require specialized care and a highly trained team of experts to not only treat the physical injuries, but also to care for the emotional well-being of both the patient and the family.

“Children recovering from a burn injury are faced with many challenges, both physically and emotionally. Our multidisciplinary burn care team is walking alongside patients and families during a very overwhelming time, helping to navigate their fears, anxiety, and physical healing,” says Dr. Sally Hynes, Burn Director at BC Children’s Hospital. “The investment in burn care will improve the experience for families. Creating a more healing environment surrounded by experts and specialists can mean a patient reflects on the positive moments of being cared for, as opposed to moments of trauma.”

Children with burn injuries face painful procedures, with evidence showing that without specialized care, both patients and families can experience heightened stress and anxiety. This investment will go towards enhancements in the hospital’s burn care suite, including relocating the waiting area so families can be closer to their children and enhancing the space with purposeful art, helping to create a healing environment for patients undergoing treatment.

Funds will also provide additional support for a multidisciplinary team caring for the holistic well-being of patients with burn injuries and their families. These highly trained team members play a critical role caring for the unique needs of the patient and families, improving the experience before, during and after treatment.

“This is a significant moment for the incredible teams at BC Children’s Hospital as well as for BC’s professional fire fighters who champion the Burn Fund’s mission of supporting burn survivors through every step of their healing journey,” says Gord Ditchburn, President of the BC Professional Fire Fighter’s Association. “We know first-hand the challenges that many patients with burn injuries face, particularly kids grappling with the physical pain and overwhelming emotions. We’re honoured to work with the incredible experts at BC Children’s Hospital who share our passion for delivering expert care. Our hope is this funding will provide the best possible outcome for patients and their families, helping them to not just recover, but thrive.”

Additionally, a portion of the $1 million gift will help to support the establishment of an education endowment, providing ongoing educational opportunities for health professionals working with patients and families as they provide world-class, evidence-based care.

“For patients and families needing expert burn care at BC Children’s Hospital, the emotional experience can be as challenging to navigate as the physical wounds,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It can be a long, difficult recovery. This gift will ensure that when kids across BC come to the burn care suite, they are met with a truly holistic model of care that supports the complex physical and emotional needs of both the patient and the family.”

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About BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

BC Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children and youth. It’s one of the few pediatric medical and teaching facilities in Canada with an acute care centre, research institute, mental health facility, and rehabilitation centre all in one place. BC Children’s provides specialized care, innovative therapies, and pediatric expertise for BC’s kids, including the sickest and most seriously injured. At BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, we raise funds to provide kids with excellence in healthcare by continuously driving advancements provincially and globally. The generosity of donors fuels our ability to conquer childhood diseases, prevent illness and injury, and prioritize the unique needs of kids in every aspect of their care. Follow us at @bcchf or visit bcchf.ca for more information.

 About BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund

Fire fighters have been answering the call to support young burn survivors since the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund was founded in 1978. From rescue to recovery, more than 4000 professional fire fighters in communities across BC and the Yukon are advancing the Burn Fund’s mission of supporting burn survivors through every step of their healing journey.

The Burn Fund was created by the fire fighters to fund urgent equipment needs for burn survivors at BC’s trauma hospitals. Today the Burn Fund’s support has expanded to offer empowering programs for burn survivors of all ages, including Burn Camp for kids, as well as welcoming burn survivors and their families to the Burn Fund Centre, a home away from home for those travelling to Vancouver for treatment. Learn more at burnfund.org and follow us on social media at @bcburnfund.