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VICTORIA – Burn survivors and their families will be aided by a $2-million grant to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Building, Health Minister George Abbott announced today.
“The Burn Fund Building will be the first of its kind in North America when it is completed and will include a research laboratory facility for clinical trials in burn and wound healing,” said Abbott. “Construction of the research facility will help ensure burn survivors in our province get the best care possible.”
“The facility will be a place of medicine, science and compassion,” said Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman. “The Province is funding the provision of the highest medical response, and the development of new treatments, and providing families with the security and comfort of housing during their loved one’s care.”
Ministry of Health funding for the Burn Fund Building will be directed towards research and public education.
“More than 3,600 professional firefighters from 49 communities around the province are building the Burn Fund’s vision,” said Tony Burke, B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund executive director. “They dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety through the work the Burn Fund does with its burn awareness, research and prevention programs.”
The Burn Fund began in 1978 and is the charitable arm of the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association. The organization intends to fundraise a significant portion of the capital costs for this project.
The new facility will aid in research to find new and improved methods to care for non-healing and over-healing wounds. The pay-off to medicine will be milestones like quicker healing, less scarring and reduced pain in accepted skin grafting methods. Cross over findings in areas such as diabetic wound healing and fibrotic disease states in lungs and other organs are other likely beneficiaries of this research.
The Burn Fund Building will complement the burn and wound care afforded patients at the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn, Plastic and Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Burn Program by providing accommodation for family members facing prolonged stays in Vancouver during loved ones’ acute and reconstructive phases of care. The design of the residence part of the building will be conducive to rest and solitude, and also provide an environment of support for mixing with similarly affected families in the common areas.
In November 2007, the Province awarded a separate $2-million grant to the same fund for burn survivors’ housing that will provide eight units to accommodate burn survivors and their families.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 920-8500 (cell) 250 952-1889 (media line) |
Public Relations & Sponsorship BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund 604 536-9501 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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