Kapi’olani Children’s Hospital
Young children are especially susceptible to burn injuries because their skin is thinner and more delicate than an adult’s. Due to the uniqueness and cultural diversity in Hawaii, and a diet consisting of a very hot soup called Saimin, burns are the second leading cause of pediatric trauma injuries and emergency room visits in Hawaii. Laura Bonilla, Executive Director of Pediatrics at Kapi’olani Children’s Hospital, will tell you that’s a recipe for disaster. That’s why Laura applied for a grant from the Kiwanis Cal‐Nev‐Ha Foundation.
Hawaii’s First Pediatric Burn Clinic
Your generous support enabled the Foundation to award Kapi’olani Children’s Hospital a $25,000 grant in 2012 which they used to create Hawaii’s first comprehensive pediatric burn program.
With the $25,000 grant from the Foundation, the hospital developed curriculum for an educational program for Pediatric Burn Care, as well as a care guide for parents, Taking Care of Your Child’s Burn.
“Community support is critical to all of us and this gift will allow us to expedite and facilitate care to children. With a coordinated pediatric burn program, Hawaii’s young patients will receive the specialized care they need, right here at home.”
~ Martha Smith, COO at Kapi’olani Medical Center
Prior to 2012, only children under the age of eight were treated for burn injuries at Kapi’olani.
With no other hospital within the state which treats burn injuries, this grant allowed the hospital to expand burn care to all children under the age of 18 and extended protocols and education on pediatric burn care to medical centers statewide.
Look what you made possible!
In 2013, 21 inpatient children and 22 outpatient children were treated at Kapi’olani for burns. Your generosity ensured these children didn’t need to be airlifted to the mainland for treatment and more importantly, they could remain in Hawaii, close to their parents.
As of July 2014, more than 59 children have benefited from Kapi’olani’s burn program.
