MTF, Largest Tissue Bank, Provides Skin for Victims of Santa Barbara Wildfires
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire/ — Ventura County firefighters who were overtaken by flames and seriously injured while battling brushfires in Santa Barbara are being treated at the Grossman Burn Center with skin donated by the largest non-profit tissue bank in the country, the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF).
MTF responded to this crisis by donating skin to the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks. Of the 28 firefighters who were injured while fighting the blaze, two suffered second and third degree burns and required skin graft surgery. MTF’s donated skin was used to cover these severe burns, thus reducing the risk of infection and loss of fluids.
Dr. Peter Grossman, director of the burn center, said that both firefighters are expected to recover and eventually return to work. “We are delighted that MTF provided this generous skin donation. The skin arrived from MTF within 3 hours of our contact. The surgeries went well and both of these men are expected to fully heal from their injuries through continued treatment and rehabilitation. I thank MTF for their donation.”