Media Contact: Margo Bates Publicity
Telephone: 604-536-9501
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2007
VANCOUVER TO HOST WORLD CONGRESS FOR BURN SURVIVORS
Burn survivors, inspirational speakers, fire fighters, healthcare professionals, caregivers and researchers from around the world congregate to share their stories
October 3-6, 2007 Vancouver hosts The Phoenix Society’s 19th Annual World Burn Congress, co-hosted by the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn, Plastic and Trauma Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children's Hospital Burn Program.
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors (www.phoenix-society.org) located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a 30-year legacy of assisting burn survivors in all phases of their recovery. As the United States’ premier burn survivor resource, the Phoenix Society is committed to helping individuals find outstanding medical care and help provide support for emotional and social recovery following a burn injury so they can return to a full life.
With the theme “Recover. Renew. Return.” over 650 burn survivors and industry professionals from seven countries gather for the annual event to share their stories, heal together, listen to inspirational speakers and learn about the latest developments in burn care.
This is an opportunity for media to interview burn community leaders, authors, researchers and survivors - to share with the public their stories and the incredible resources available to burn survivors throughout the world.
PROGRAM AND SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:
9-10 am,
October 4, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver |
Opening Ceremony |
BC fire fighters, caregivers and local burn survivors welcome more than 650 guests from around the world.
Photo opportunity: Vancouver Fire Fighters’ Band leading procession, Colour Guard, Honor Guard, Pipers, and the fire fighters, healthcare professionals, burn survivors and their families from British Columbia.
Flag procession of all participating nations. National Anthems sung by Andy Greenwood, Vancouver Fire Fighters’ Band. |
Keynote Speeches: |
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10.15-11.15 AM, October 4, Westin Bayshore |
Vivian Pellas |
Sixteen years ago, Vivian Pellas was burned in an aviation accident. While still in hospital, she decided that if she survived her injuries, she would dedicate her life to help burned children in Nicaragua. She opened a Burn Hospital for Central America in Managua, Nicaragua offering free specialized medical care to children. “[Hers] is a story of love and solidarity without limits. She is a persevering woman, a humble philanthropist, simple, with a beauty in the soul that is reflected in her saint like face and a smile that is a balm for the burnt children of Nicaragua, who see in her their guardian angel.”
Source: Honduras This Week |
9-10 AM,
October 5, Westin Bayshore |
George Pessotti |
George Pessotti’s life changed with the puff of gas from a kitchen stove that ignited the gasoline that he poured on a floor to remove carpet glue. He shared his experience in his book Reason for Living, published in 2005. The session will take the audience on a roller coaster ride of survival. A gripping, inspiring true story. |
9-10 AM,
October 6, Westin Bayshore |
Kim Phuc |
The photo of a little girl, crying and running naked - her skin burning - along a road became one of the most famous images of the Vietnam war. Kim Phuc shares her inspirational message of love and forgiveness to the World Burn Congress delegates. |
AGENDA: |
Breakout sessions will focus on topics such as:
- Private sessions for creative cosmetics
- Fire fighters and those they rescued coming full circle
- Adults burned as children, reclaiming personal power and growth
- Young Adults Expedition- Discovering Our Uniqueness (ropes)
- The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Adult Burn Survivor Program, The Future Is Mine. Launched in B.C. last April, the program will be introducedto adult burn survivors from across Canada
- Turning social challenges into social success an interactive session that provides tools for social re-entry
Media hand out material and a list of spokespeople available at http://www.phoenix-society.org/burncongressmedia/.
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SPOKESPEOPLE: |
In addition to the above sessions, there are numerous burn survivors and experts from the fire and medical community available for interviews, including: |
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- Amy Acton, Executive Director, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
- Tony Burke, Executive Director, British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund
- Burn survivors and their families are available to share their individual stories
- Dr. Nick Carr, Head, Division of Plastic Surgery, UBC
- Dr. Cindy Verchere, Head Physician, BC Children’s Hospital Burn Program
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION: |
A Media Kit, including news release, fact sheets and speaker bios will be
available at the event.
To obtain a copy during the congress, please contact Margo Bates Publicity Inc.
Telephone: 604-536-9501 or E-Mail: pr@burnfund.org
MEDIA ROOM ON SITE AT WESTIN BAYSHORE VANCOUVER |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress offers a network of resources,
education and opportunities for peer support which 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 daily 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.
ABOUT THE PHOENIX SOCIETY FOR BURN SURVIVORS:
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 visit: www.phoenix-society.org, or contact them directly at Phoenix Society, 1835 RW Berends SW, Grand Rapids MI - 800-888-2876 – info@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 helps to 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 and Trauma 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 Program 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.
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Media Contact: Margo Bates Publicity Inc.
Telephone: 604-536-9501 E-Mail: pr@burnfund.org |
