Eight-month-old Levi Choo silently crawled over to the hearth, wobbled, lost his balance, and placed both hands on the hot glass of a gas fireplace.

In an instant, searing heat torched the palms of young Levisa国际传媒檚 hands, causing second-degree burns.

sa国际传媒淚 can still hear the sound of Levi screaming. It was a scream I had never heard before, a scream that ran through my bones, a scream I will never forget,sa国际传媒� said mother Breanna McMahon.

McMahon, who lives in Sooke with her husband Doug Choo and the couplesa国际传媒檚 three other children, is sharing the story of what happened in March 2017 to raise awareness of the and the , which raises money for burn fund programs.

Levi and his family were on vacation in Ucluelet when the accident occurred.

McMahon was still sleeping, and Levi was with his dad as he prepared breakfast. The gas fireplace was turned off after the room got too warm.

Suddenly, they heard screams, and Doug and Breanna rushed to their babysa国际传媒檚 side.

McMahon scooped him off the floor, cuddled him, and then noticed the burns. She immediately ran his hands under cold water.

sa国际传媒淗is hands looked like a piece of chicken on a hot pan that had been left for 10 seconds and then pulled off. It was a clear indication of the severity of his burns. I had never seen anything like it,sa国际传媒� she said.

The young family quickly got in the car and drove 40 kilometres to a hospital in Tofino, where Levi received pain medication and his hands were wrapped in a silver dressing.

After a few days, they returned to their home in the Lower Mainland. Within three weeks, Levi underwent skin graft surgery at B.C. Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital to improve the movement in his hands. Subsequently, he had to wear casts, splints, and specially designed compression gloves.

sa国际传媒淭he fact that this happened to my child stuns me,sa国际传媒� McMahon said. sa国际传媒淲e baby-proofed the hotel room but didnsa国际传媒檛 even think about the fireplace because ours at home never had hot glass.sa国际传媒�

Now six years old, Levi still visits B.C. Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital annually for treatment and may require additional surgery.

Each year, B.C. Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital treats over 900 children for new burn injuries and follow-up care.

The Hometown Heroes Lottery ticket sales support Burn Fund programs, including the Home Away program for burn and trauma survivors, mental health support for burn survivors and firefighters, and the annual Burn Camp for young burn survivors.

Ticket sales also benefit the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, providing essential funds for specialized adult health services at VGH and UBC Hospital, G.F. Strong Rehab Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services.

sa国际传媒淭he Burn Fund relies on the funds raised by the Hometown Heroes Lottery to support burn survivors across the province, both physically and emotionally. We can only do this thanks to the extreme generosity of British Columbians,sa国际传媒� said Jeff Sauv茅, executive director of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighterssa国际传媒� Burn Fund.

Since leaving the hospital, Levi and his family have utilized the Burn Fundsa国际传媒檚 referral program, seeking support ranging from counseling to multiple wound dressings.

sa国际传媒淚 never thought I would have to rely on their resources,sa国际传媒� McMahon said. sa国际传媒淭he Burn Fund is an amazing organization. I cannot praise it enough.sa国际传媒�

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