LAKE HAVASU CITY – A study conducted in 2019 by BMC Public Health showed that there were more than eight million new burn victim cases across the globe. The survival rate for the injured is 96.8 percent according to The American Burn Association.
A local of Lake Havasu, felt tremendous empathy towards the victims of these tragedies, and decided to create community involvement in support of burn victims. That local was Christopher (Cookie) Deutsch, the head chef at Lake Havasu’s Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Deutsch’s empathy stemmed from his own burn incidents as a chef; 13 years ago he took action by organizing local fundraisers that would provide assistance to the victims and their families. After visiting a children’s burn camp in Prescott,Deutsch felt that he could make a difference in his own community.
Four years ago, he found help in his annual charity with business owner Tommy Kimes of Twisted Metal. In that same year, Deustch, along with the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lake Havasu, presented the CEO of the Arizona Burn Foundation for Camp Courage with a check for some $13,000 for victims and their siblings. Camp Courage is a camp created by Arizona Burn Foundation. This is a therapeutic camp for burn survivors from ages six to 15.
This January, Deutsch and Kimes have been visiting local businesses willing to provide donations towards their efforts. Several businesses offered their contributions such as Cha Bones, Shugrues, and even local firefighters.
The results of their charity will be shared on Wednesday, January 31 at Twisted Metal. Dinner will be provided at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m., two gas powered 50cc scooters will be raffled separately.
Raffle tickets are available for purchase with all proceeds going to Camp Courage. To learn more about Arizona Burn Foundation and ways to help visit azburn.org.
Phaedra Veronique
