On November 29, London Drugs and the Vancouver Fire Fighters charitable society were welcomed on a tour and presentation of the VGH Burn Unit in Vancouver.

We were asked to visit the Burn Unit in recognition of London Drugs and the fire fighters 25-year support of the physical building of the unit and the ongoing commitment to advancing patient care. During the presentation, Lois Budd, patient services manager (and patient-care advocate extraordinaire) together with Dr. Jim Boyle, medical director (and great humorist) explained how through the 25-year sale of the Hall of Flame calendars at London Drugs, much needed specialized equipment and materials have been able to be purchased.

Rob Felix, London Drugs executive and general manager, general merchandise, was presented with a special plaque thanking London Drugs for the approximately $400,000 that has been raised for the Burn Unit over the past 25 years.

For Rob, the presentation and tour were humbling. Being inside the Burn Unit together with a group of fire fighters and being able to see patients who this group rescues and brings to the Burn Unit unfortunately all-to-often, brought the importance of London Drugs support, full circle.

VGH’s Burn Unit treats the very sick. Patients include victims of devastating vehicle accidents to children scalded with extremely hot water to cooking accidents, structural fires and many more unfortunate burn inflictions. You never want to be here or have someone you love be here. That is clear. But, this facility is so important and so necessary for British Columbians. They have done an amazing job at advancing the care of patients here including 24-hour visitation for families. In a hospital ward with such devastation, they have tried their best to make it as liveable as possible.

This year, through the sale of the Vancouver Fire Fighters Hall of Flame calendars at London Drugs, the Burn Unit was able to purchase a vital new piece of equipment: the Meek Mesher. The Meek Mesher is a special skin grafting machine that just arrived November 28, from Finland.

Seeing the Meek Mesher first-hand and learning about how it will benefit burn victims reminded all of us on the tour just how important it is to continue to support the fire fighters charitable society and the BC Burn Fund. This specialized equipment and care would not be possible without outside support and donations.
One of the patients currently in the Burn Unit lost his home to a fire including all of his money that was stored in his sofa. There are many more stories and patients this hospital and unit sees every hour, every day, and it is heart wrenching.

So thank you to all of the London Drugs customers who support the VGH Burn Unit with your purchase of the Hall of Flame calendars each year. We saw and heard first-hand, how important it is for our continued support.