News & Updates

Grossmont Healthcare District continues support for Burn Institute

September 6, 2017 General

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is continuing its support of the Burn Institute, a non-profit health agency dedicated to supporting burn survivors and reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego County. The GHD board recently approved a $34,000 grant to support the Burn Institute’s burn prevention education program for elementary school students, as well as support services for burn survivors.

The funds will support programs and services for more than 15,000 East Region residents over the year next with a special emphasis on children, seniors, Latino and low-to-moderate income populations, according to Susan Day, Burn Institute executive director.

Among the Burn Institute programs earmarked for the GHD funds: Camp Beyond the Scars, a week-long summer camp that assists children ages 8 to 17 in coping with the devastating psychological and physical effects of their fire or burn injuries; Living With Wildfire, a program providing information to homeowners about wildfires; and free smoke alarm detectors for seniors who own their homes.

Other Burn Institute programs and activities benefitting from GHD support include peer support services, supplemental counseling, emergency assistance, and fire and burn prevention education.

“The Burn Institute has been at the forefront of burn prevention and support as well as providing burn care resources for our community,” said Michael Emerson, GHD board president. “We applaud their efforts to provide burn survivor support to those who have suffered a burn injury and to reduce the number of burn injuries and death.”

“We’re very grateful for the support since 1998 from Grossmont Healthcare District,” said Day. “Recovering from a burn injury is often a long and arduous process and survivors frequently face emotional trauma along with their injuries. We’re with them all the way.”