Two Local Burn Survivors Advocating for more funds for the burn unit during Burn Awareness Week
The Edmonton Firefighters Burn Unit is the #1 burn unit in Canada which has treated over 10,000 people throughout Western and Northern Canada.
Living with a burn is a lifelong journey that changes multiple aspects of a persons life. It effects their mobility, ability and self-esteem as the scars and amputations are impossible to hide. All of these concerns directly impact a persons quality of life and often lead to mental health issues struggling to adapt to their disfigurements and amputations.
Children are the largest demographic of requiring burn care. Imaging growing up with severe scars on your face or torso or hands that make you different when all you want is to simply fit in! They can't help the scars but we can help with the care!
We are blessed to have this vital resource in Edmonton where the medical team also are leaders in research to help burn survivors overcome these challenges. Their cutting-edge research is aimed at scar management to improve function, mobility & aesthetics of an injury and for tissue regeneration where they can now grow base skin which greatly reduces hospitalization care and improves quality of life. These advancements can also be used for cancer survivors reconstructive surgeries, birth defects and other injuries.
Spencer Beach
Spencer Beach, a third-generation floor technician, was involved in all types of commercial and residential construction as a labourer, supervisor, and manager. On a day like any other, just doing his job, he found himself suddenly engulfed in a flash fire. It came with a whistle and a bang, changing his life within the blink of an eye. Forever.
Within twenty seconds, he received third and fourth degree burns to 90 percent of his body. He fought through the fire to escape, to live even though he thought he was going to die. Holding onto the fading thoughts of his pregnant wife gave him the courage to find a way out. But he had no idea what survival would mean. Now, he is a motivational speaker sharing his message in North America.
Kelly Falardeau
Kelly Falardeau who is also a burn survivor since the age of two-years-old got burnt to most of her body in a tragic farm fire in 1968. Her cousins were throwing shingles into the burning barrel and a spark came out and landed on her dress and she exploded. As a result, she spent four months in the hospital with a few near-death experiences. Every two years until she was twenty-years-old, she would spend her summer holidays in the hospital for more reconstructive surgeries.
Throughout her school years, she was known as the Ugly Scar-Faced Girl, but she defied the odds to create an incredible story of love, hope, acceptance and perseverance. She is a multiple time TEDx talker, YWCA Woman of Distinction, Fierce Woman of the Year, 5x international Best-Selling Author and honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. She has graced magazines, TV, radio and media around the world. Not only that, one video of her life story landed over 9.5 million views!
Spencer asked Kelly if she would be willing to collaborate with him and help raise funds for the Edmonton Firefighters Burn Unit for some much needed equipment to further enhance burn survivors’ treatment and research.
Help us support these initiatives to advance patient care.
