In 1976, Martin Johnson and Gary Macdonald and several of their fellow firefighters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, organized a banquet and ball to raise money for charity. Looking for a cause to champion, the group decided to support the improvement of burn treatment at local hospitals. Two years later, thanks to the leadership of Johnson and Macdonald, North America's first Fire Fighters Burn Fund was formalized.

In its first year, the Burn Fund raised enough funds to purchase an operating room microscope and auxilliary equipment. Since then, the Fund has provided financing for a wide-range of burn-related equipment.

“Times have changed but the need hasn't,” remarks Martin Johnson, the Burn Fund's co-founder and Chairperson. “We raised $2,500 from our first banquet and ball and today we raise between $200,000 and $300,000 annually. We're proud that all of that money goes to treating and supporting burn survivors.”

For 25 years, the Fire Fighters Burn Fund has been a leader in developing innovative programs for burn survivors. In 1986, the Fund established Canada's first children's burn camp. Called Camp Mamawi (Cree for 'friendship'), the progam provides children who have been burned with opportunities to meet new friends and share their experiences and feelings.

Launched in 1998, the Burn Fund's annual Survivors Day has since expanded to a two or three-day conference, the only one of its kind in Canada. The Fund is looking ahead to 2005 when the Survivors Conference will become a national gathering of burn survivors and health care staff.

Another one-of-a-kind program that the Burn Fund supports is Canada's only Adolescent Retreat for 18 to 30 year-olds. The summer canoeing and camping excursion offers survivors an opportunity to use their own resources in a week-long confidence and team-building experience.

“We've been able to provide these great programs because of the efforts of our core of volunteer members, sponsors and the countless donors who over the years, have been honoured to support the important work that burn care professionals perform,” says Johnson.