VANCOUVER, June 9, 2014 /CNW/ - This Sunday, June 15th will mark the 10th Anniversary of Car Free Days and the fire fighters will be on-site to celebrate with their new neighbors! They invite you to come out and participate in the festivities from Noon – 7pm, and learn about the NEW Burn Fund Centre to be built at 3891 Main Street, directly on the corner of 23rd and Main Street.
The Burn Fund Centre will provide eight short-term stay units to meet the critical shortfall in accommodation for burn and trauma patients and their family caregivers. The Centre will also offer supportive survivor programs and resources and retail space to help fund the ongoing operation of the building. Construction will begin in Fall 2014.
To date, twenty-seven professional Fire Fighter Locals from across the province have proudly contributed a total of $1.3 million dollars to assist with the $13.1 million project.
"We've seen firsthand that helping with accommodation for burn and trauma survivors and their families can be one of the most significant contributions to assist survivors physically and emotionally recover and live a full life", says Mike Hurley, President of the Burn Fund. "We're determined to give burn survivors in British Columbia the best chance at recovery with this new home-away-from-home."
"We're so grateful that the Fire Fighters of our province have shown such leadership in helping us meet this critical need – they've raised money through a combination of community fundraisers along with personal payroll deductions."
The province is experiencing a critical shortfall in accommodation for burn and trauma patients and their family caregivers. Patients' health may be compromised when they have to return home sooner than medically advised or live in accommodations not suited to recovery from a burn or trauma.
Each year almost 700 children and adults from across the province are admitted to the BCPFF Burn, Plastics and Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children's Hospital suffering serious trauma.
Cases from outside the Lower Mainland make up 27% of cases, and 60% of those are paying for private sector accommodation for an average of eight weeks.
"Burn survivors need their loved ones close for support while hospitalized and require suitable accommodation while an outpatient and highly vulnerable to infection", says Lisa Lacamell, Executive Director of the Burn Fund. "With the current accommodation shortfall its possible survivors' recoveries might be compromised, but the new Burn Fund Centre will solve this crisis."
Over 85% of the funds needed are already secured. This includes an extraordinary $1.3 million in pledges from professional Fire Fighters' Locals around the province; a donation of land from the City of Vancouver; $750,000 in donated services from Concert Properties and a $4 million investment from the Province of British Columbia.
How can you help? Make a donation today. We are grateful for every donation we receive and you can help lift us a few more steps up the ladder to the best place for burn and trauma survivors.
Donations accepted on our website: Burnfund.org or contact our office 604-436-5617.
The BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund has been providing Prevention and Survivor Support programs, and funding medical care and training for the people of British Columbia and the Yukon for almost four decades. The Burn Fund's vision is built by more than 3,800 professional fire fighters from fifty-three communities in British Columbia and the Yukon who dedicate their funds, time and expertise.
Image with caption: "New Burn Fund Centre coming Fall 2014 (CNW Group/British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140609_C2544_PHOTO_EN_3559.jpg
SOURCE: British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund
Lisa Lacamell, Burn Fund, Executive Director, 604-436-5617 office or 604-720-5129 cell. Mike Hurley, Burn Fund, President, 604-436-5617
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