The streets of Foster City will be filled with the lights and sirens of more than 30 emergency vehicles Thursday as part of a regional effort to raise money for burn victims.
The emergency vehicles will begin in San Jose and end in San Francisco, stopping at various Peninsula fire departments to collect money that has been raised for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.
The annual event, called the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation Peninsula Relay, raises money that goes to support Champ Camp, where children who are burn survivors get away for a week with other kids with similar injuries.
The Foster City Firefighters’ Association conducts fundraisers and collects monetary donations for this charity throughout the year.
The relay includes old and new fire apparatus from Peninsula fire departments and private citizens. The California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies also play a big part in the relay by providing traffic assistance.
The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation derives its name and inspiration from an 8-year-old child, Alisa Ann, who was fatally burned in a common backyard barbecue accident.
Founded in 1971, the Burn Foundation works in partnership with firefighters, educators, and burn care professionals to develop innovative programs and services.
There are 1.25 million burn injuries each year in the United States. In California each year 10,000 people are burned severely enough to require medical attention; 4,500 are children.
The Burn Foundation's survivor assistance programs are designed to relieve emotional suffering, create social opportunities and help build the skills necessary to cope in a society that highly values physical appearance.
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