What: The Children's Burn Foundation, a non-profit organization based
in Sherman Oaks, CA, has announced it will cover all medical
and rehabilitation costs for a 5-year-old Iraqi boy, Youssif,
who was brutally attacked by masked men, doused in gasoline,
and set on fire. The savage attack took place on January 15
outside his home in central Baghdad. The identities of the
attackers are still unknown.
The Foundation, which provides support for burn victims
locally, nationally and internationally, will cover all
transportation costs for Youssif and his family to come to the
United States as well as all medical costs, including
surgeries, housing and any emotional counseling that might be
needed. Youssif's surgeries will be performed by Dr. Peter
Grossman, Co-Medical Director of The Grossman Burn Center of
Sherman Oaks Hospital.
The Foundation has also set up a donation fund for Youssif on
its Web site, www.childburn.org. Within hours of going live,
the donation fund had received an outpouring of support.
Who: Barbara Friedman, executive director of the Children's Burn
Foundation
"This is undoubtedly one of the most horrific cases of
premeditated violence we've ever seen," said Barbara Friedman,
executive director of the Children's Burn Foundation and former
three-term California Assembly member. "If there is any good
that can come of this tragedy, it's that Youssif's story will
inspire people to learn more about the needs of severely burned
children and offer their support to Youssif and other children
like him."
Background: The Children's Burn Foundation's mission is to prevent the pain
and trauma of burn injuries to children, and to heal and give
children who have suffered severe burns the opportunity to
reach their full potential physically, psychologically and
socially.
Burns are the third leading cause of accidental death in
children under the age of 9 and one of the top ten injuries
treated in emergency rooms for children under the age of 5.
The Children's Burn Foundation provides innovative fire safety
and burn prevention education programs for children, parents
and other caregivers as well as full recovery programs to serve
the medical, psychosocial and other special needs of child burn
survivors.
In 2006, the Children's Burn Foundation provided services to
more than 475 young burn survivors that included extensive
reconstructive treatment, emergency family housing assistance,
food and transportation vouchers, a spring family camp and a
wonderful summer camp. The Foundation's prevention programs
taught 60,000 children and parents how to prevent burns and how
to reduce the seriousness of burn should one occur.
Contact Information: Contact: Malina Brown The Rogers Group (310) 552-4150