The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund and the Waelchli Family Pediatric Initiative organize a golf outing each year at Olde Homestead Golf Club to support the needs of children in the Greater Lehigh Valley. The money raised goes to families needing help with the high cost of transportation related to health care. Danny Waelchli, Bill and Chris Hankee recently presented Corissa Rolon and Jessica Banks, $2,500.00 at their Burn Prevention Network office in South Allentown. The money will be supporting children attending Camp Susquehanna this Summer.
Camp Susquehanna is a 5-day, sleep-away experience for children ages 7-17 who have had a serious burn injury and were treated at a Pennsylvania Regional Burn Center. It is an opportunity for children to have fun, learn life skills, and meet other burn survivors. Although Camp Susquehanna’s campers are of varying ages, activities and groups are geared towards each camper’s developmental needs.
The Burn Prevention Network (BPN) is a Pennsylvania statewide 501(c) 3 non-profit. BPN has a 35+ year history of successful program and service delivery and is one of the most respected burn non-profits in the U.S. Their mission is to reduce the risk of burns and empower burn survivors and their families. The Burn Prevention Network educates, supports, advocates, and empowers. They teach those who are most vulnerable for risk of burns how to protect themselves and others from injury by giving them the knowledge and tools they need to be safe. They support burn survivors and their families as they continue to deal with their trauma and then empower them as they adjust to a new reality.
Thanks to the educational efforts of the Burn Prevention Network and our fire fighter organizations severe burn injuries are not common but exist in every community. You might think you never see any severely burned children or adults. This is partly because many avoid contact and wear clothing that covers exposed skin. In fact, most children with burn injuries never see another child with burn scars. That is why Camp Susquehanna is so important. These children can share experiences, gain strength through numbers, and create lifelong friendships.
There is a story behind every injury. Numerous children are rescued by brave first responders, parents, neighbors, or bystanders. Some children brave the smoke and flames to save themselves and others.