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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2007
World Burn Congress Takes Place in Vancouver This October
First time the event has been held in British Columbia
A program of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors; co-hosted by BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit at VGH and BC Children's Hospital Burn Unit
VANCOUVER - The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors 19th Annual World Burn Congress is set for October 3 to 6, 2007 at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
It brings together over 700 burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn care professionals and fire fighters from around the world.
The Congress provides an international forum to encourage and facilitate an exchange of knowledge and support within the burn community.
A program of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, it is hosted by local burn centers and other not-for-profit organizations. Vancouver’s event is co-hosted by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Burn Unit.
Network of resources, education and opportunities is key for burn survivors to recover, renew and return to life
“The impact of meeting another who has traveled the journey of burn recovery is tremendously healing for many survivors and families. World Burn Congress offers the community a safe place to learn and grow from sharing their common experiences,” says Amy Acton, RN, a burn survivor and executive director of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.
The journey from burn patient to burn survivor is a long and painful one. It is sustained by hope, conviction and unparalleled courage. Confronting the challenges imposed by of pain or disfigurement is just the beginning for most burn survivors. They must also struggle to heal the acute emotional and psychological trauma that can be equally painful and daunting.
To become a burn survivor is a life-altering experience. When a person receives burn injuries, many factors are at play, including a change in life style, reduced financial security and more complex relationship issues. It is important for burn survivors to have a network of resources and opportunities for a happier, healthier and more hopeful life.
For over 30 years, The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors has been connecting burn survivors, their loved ones, and burn care professionals with valuable resources.
The Phoenix Society is a national non-profit organization created to empower anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education and advocacy.
The Society was founded by Alan Breslau, who was extensively burned in the crash of a commercial airliner in 1963. Following a visit to a child at a local burn center, Alan realized the importance of peer support for those with burn injuries and went on to establish one of the first burn support organizations in the United States. The Phoenix Society takes its name from the legendary bird that lives 500 years and is consumed by flame, but rises again, reborn from its ashes, more brilliant than before. For more information, please visit: www.phoenix-society.org.
British Columbia’s Burn Community co-hosts World Burn Congress
“On behalf of the 3,400 professional fire fighters in British Columbia, we welcome the partnership with the Phoenix Society, in support of Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Children’s Hospital,” says Tony Burke, Executive Director of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. “Bringing the World Burn Congress to Vancouver will help educate the public through creating awareness of the challenges that burn survivors face. This is a great opportunity for B.C.’s burn survivors to confirm that there is hope after their injury.”
The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund dedicates its time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety issues through the work the Burn Fund does with its Burn Awareness, Research and Prevention Programs. For more information, please visit www.burnfund.org.
The BCPFF Burn & Plastic Surgery Unit at Vancouver General Hospital cares for patients ranging in age from six to sixty-plus. The traumatic events that lead to hospitalization can affect a person on many levels - physically, socially, psychologically and even spiritually. To guide patients effectively from wound to wellness, the BCPFF Burn Unit provides support recovery in each of these areas. For more information, please visit www.woundtowellnesss.com.
The BC Children’s Hospital Burn Unit treats the province’s most severe paediatric burn cases, from babies to children six and under. The hospital also provides specialized training in paediatric health care and work with renowned researchers to achieve better health for children and youth. For more information, please visit www.bcchildrens.ca.
Attending the World Burn Congress is a very personal journey for burn survivors and the people who support them...
“The Conference was so warm. These are all amazing people - every person there! The whole environment...kindness and warmth everywhere.”
Burn Survivor
“This was my first World Burn Congress, and I can’t begin to tell you how much this touched and impressed me. I have worked in a Burn Unit for thirteen years, and never learned so much about survivors.”
Burn Unit Nurse
“Educational and inspirational for all who attend.” Fire Fighter
"Seeing survivors leading productive lives was wonderful. You all build an incredible community, a community full of pain and joy, tears and laughter."
Spouse of a burn survivor
“The feelings that I have experienced sharing a handful of days with this community are beyond words.”
Parent of Burn Survivor
Registration Information for World Burn Congress 2007
Burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn care professionals, fire fighters and others interested in attending the Congress can register online at www.phoenix-society.org, or contact The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors at 1-800-888-2876.
Important note: anyone flying into Canada requires a passport.
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