Country-wide, over 300 children are hospitalised annually due to burn-related injuries, according to data from the American Burn Association. By recycling aluminium cans through a statewide fundraiser, the Every Can Counts program raises funds annually to support burn-injured children with financial aid, care kits and custom compression garments.
In South Carolina, the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund is working to ensure young burn victims receive comprehensive resources, addressing both recovery and prevention needs.
The initiative further operates in partnership with the paediatric burn team at the Medical University of South Carolina, combining expertise and community support to improve outcomes. In addition to financial assistance, impacted families receive care kits and specialised resources, including custom compression garments typically not covered by insurance.
Through aluminium can recycling, the initiative generates USD 80,000 to USD 100,000 annually via a statewide fundraising program. Currently, 150 aluminium can recycling bins are deployed across the state. According to board member Rodney Howell, while these support services remain ongoing, the demand from children in need continues to be significant.
Rodney Howell stated, "Each year, there are so many kids that unfortunately slip through the cracks. We are trying our best to push out prevention as much as we can. But we live in the real world, and we know that burns are going to happen. So long as burns are going to happen, we're going to be there to make sure that we help them."
The organisation has also fostered a sense of community through Camp 'Can' Do, a summer program designed for boys and girls with similar burn-related scars.
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