Recycling aluminum cans benefits burned children

by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

The toss of an empty drink can may help give a young South Carolina burn victim a chance to live another day thanks to continuing efforts made by MUSC’s Pediatric Burn Center and the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) Program.

Members of the Pediatric Burn Team gather inside the Children’s Hospital Burn Treatment Room which opened in 1997 and was made possible by the ACBC program. Team members are (left to right) Mary Williams, Joann Kohler, Billy Gardner, Jill Evans, Terri Tierney, Betsy McCutcheon, Beverly Smith, Candy Carton and Jill Gibson.

Established in 1986 with total contributions exceeding $1 million, the ACBC Program has worked closely with South Carolina firefighters and other area volunteers in organizing the collection of aluminum cans and other support activities. MUSC, South Carolina’s pediatric burn center, handles a yearly average of nearly 150 children who have suffered major or minor burns.

Part of the funds from recycling aluminum cans have been used to help offset pediatric burn treatment costs at the center by purchasing necessities such as medicines, dressings, garments and therapeutic toys. ACBC provides assistance to patient’s families with transportation, lodging, meals plus other forms of support.

In 1997, ACBC helped established the MUSC Children’s Hospital Burn Treatment Room located on the seventh floor. The room, which was converted from a floor utility closet, contains a burn tank and sterile area equipped for nurses and doctors to perform dressing changes, burn care and administer to the special needs of patients.

“The room provides the necessary equipment and clean environment needed to give our young patients the best care without the additional stress and discomfort which they already suffer because of their injuries,” said Andre Hebra, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital.

Funding from ACBC also assists burn research conducted by Hebra and associates in their laboratory. They look to their pediatric burn patients for a better understanding of how and why burn-related injuries and infection can lead to sepsis and death.

ACBC provides support by sponsoring key development workshops for physicians, nursing staffs, parents, educators and students involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of a burned child.

The program also sponsors statewide fire safety and burn prevention education for elementary students. ACBC funds have purchased nine mobile fire safety houses, so children learn to identify fire and burn hazards and escape from fires. In 1998, a new pre-school awareness program will kick-off fire safety education for children, ages 3 through 5.

In August 1997, ACBC sponsored “Camp Can Do,” a weekend camp held at Camp St. Christopher in Seabrook Island which was established for burned children across the state. Camp volunteers consisted of South Carolina firefighters, members of the Pediatric Burn Team and the Children’s Hospital.

“About 26 children participated in our first ‘Camp Can Do,’” Wiltshire said. “The kids enjoyed an experience that they’ll always treasure.”

Part of the organization’s goals for 1998 include more program awareness, preparation for Burn Awareness Week (first week in February) and planning for “Camp Can Do.” Goals include the collection of more than 325,000 pounds of aluminum cans in South Carolina. “Cans are our main source of revenue,” Wiltshire said. Each aluminum can earns about a penny for ACBC. “Every can still counts.”

Participants may place their aluminum cans in marked recycle bins located throughout the campus or contact the Recycling Office at 792-4066. To support the program at home, individuals may donate empty cans to their local fire station.

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