BC PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ BURN FUND
Expand the Adult Burn Survivors Program on Vancouver Island
VICTORIA – The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, www.burnfund.org are pleased to announce the expansion of the longstanding FUTURE IS MINE program that serves members of the adult burn community.
THE FUTURE IS MINE is a world first program that began in 2004 to provide support to the burn community throughout British Columbia. On April 18th, 2015 the program will be further expanded for Vancouver Island by Program Director Ann Coombs, with newly appointed Island survivor representatives: Stasi Manser (Victoria) and Christie Kiers (Courtenay).
Members of the adult burn community will be coming together to share their survival stories, resources and learn of the generous support from the community and the opportunities to connect as well as experience activities that bring both inspiration and learning.
The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund supports the adult burn community in many ways including the Annual Bursary Program; Future Is Mine support tools; social activities; Peer Support Groups; and technology that will connect the burn community to learning labs allowing further access to the program for residents on the Vancouver Island.
Guest speakers at the meeting which will be held at the Oak Bay Heritage Fire Hall will feature: Gwen Linski-Dulmage (Nanaimo) a survivor who lost two children in a house fire; Brandon Hayter (Victoria) who was burned in a campfire explosion; and Jane Calder (Victoria) who was burned as a child and is now a new mother. Other stories from our burn community can be found here:
“I am both grateful and honored to be representing The Future Is Mine Adult Burn Community on behalf of the BCPFF Burn Fund. This community brings to light a critical aspect in recovery after a burn trauma which helps to address the questions related to ‘How does one re-integrate into living life to its fullest?’
“Expanding this community on Vancouver Island brings forward a much needed opportunity for burn survivors to share their experience, strength and hope as it relates to their recovery with access to the unconditional love, support and understanding from a peer support group who have experienced similar trauma.
My own healing experience and inspiration has come from witnessing the challenges and experience shared by others and I look forward to the opportunities for expansion and continued growth through the generous support of the communities we live in and the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.”
Stasi Manser, Survivor & Victoria Representative
For more information on The Future Is Mine Adult Burn Survivors program or the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, please visit www.burnfund.org
SEE BURN FUND PSA – What is the Burn Fund?
Burn Fund Office Media Contact: Ann Coombs ann@coombs.ca
Adult Burn Survivor Contact: Stasi Manser stasi.manser@gmail.com
