The Fiona Wood Foundation remain resolute in our dedication to leading the way in global burn research. We firmly believe that by further expanding our understanding of burns across the physical, physiological, and psychological aspects of recovery, we can make a profound difference in the lives of burn patients now and in the future.
The Foundation has two current priority campaigns for which we seek support from our valued community.
Support Critical Research on Smoke Inhalation Injuries
We are excited to have Emily join the FWF research team as the first recipient of the Jo Wheatley PhD Scholarship. This scholarship, established in memory of Jo Wheatley and supported by the Wheatley Family Foundation, assists Emily with her living costs while she pursues her PhD. Under the mentorship of our senior team, Emily will undertake a study that aims to diagnose, screen, and enhance outcomes for patients suffering from smoke inhalation injuries.
Smoke Inhalation Injury Outcomes: Prospective screening
Outcomes following smoke inhalation injury are not well understood and are often under-recognised in current burn care. While some research has highlighted the long-term complications associated with these injuries, the Foundation has identified a significant gap in high-quality, prospective data regarding long-term outcomes.
Our research has shown that:
- Smoke inhalation injury (the inhalation of hot chemical gases) occurs in 10-20% of all burn injuries
- It is a significant cause of early mortality in burn patients.
- Smoke inhalation injury leads to direct burns to the voice box and large airways, as well as chemical injury to the lungs.
- 6.52% of patients have long-term airway problems
- 70% have voice problems
- 89.5% have swallowing problems
- 78.6% have abnormal lung function
Yet, we have no consensus on how to diagnose smoke inhalation injury, nor do we screen for long-term health outcomes in these patients.
A Call for Support
We are dedicated to improving care for burn patients but need additional resources to continue our work. Each lung function test costs $250, and with 40 participants, we aim to raise $10,000 to cover these necessary expenses.
Building a comprehensive data platform
Building on the biobank project and the samples collected, we now need a comprehensive data platform. The data platform will enable us to curate and safely store data sets from the adult and children’s biobank, including metabolomics, cell profiles, clinical data, and hair analysis. This platform will expand our research capabilities, enabling us to conduct extensive studies that span the patient’s journey. Additionally, it will facilitate interdisciplinary research and collaboration among burn specialists, surgeons, scientists, and other collaborators, paving the way for impactful research projects in burns and other areas of health. Data is pivotal to translating research from bench to bedside in our pursuit of clinical excellence and care.
As we progress into the next phase of this exciting project, we need your support. The total cost of the data platform is $150,000, and we have successfully raised almost one third of the funds required to secure the platform.
If you are in a position to support us, by donating $50 or any amount, you are directly contributing to shaping the future of burn care and recovery.
Your Contribution Matters
The support we receive from our individuals like you makes such a significant difference to our work. By translating research into clinical care practices, we can continue to bring science to the bedside and improve the quality of life for burn patients. If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a kind donation to help us support our priority campaigns. Your donation will have a lasting impact on our research, patients and to champion our next generation of researchers.
How You Can Help
- Donating via EFT: This method reduces transaction fees, allowing us to maximise the impact of your donation.
BSB 066 000
ACC 1219 5369
REF: Your Name
Please email info@fionawoodfoundation.org.au for a tax receipt.
Thank you, for believing in and supporting our mission. Together, we can make a difference.