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MTF, Largest Tissue Bank, Provides Skin for Victims of Santa Barbara Wildfires

Posted on: Thursday, 14 May 2009, 13:36 CDT

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."

"We are delighted our donation will help these brave firefighters," said Michael Kawas, President of MTF's Skin Division. "We are committed to caring for those who need tissue in time of crisis. Our skin for burns is processed in our Costa Mesa facility, and we are pleased to honor our commitment to local Southern California communities."

Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (www.mtf.org), the largest tissue bank in the United States, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. MTF is dedicated to providing quality tissue through a commitment to excellence in education, research, recovery and care for recipients, donors and their families. Since its inception in 1987, MTF has received tissue from more than 80,000 donors and has provided over 3.5 million tissue grafts for transplantation.

Grossman Burn Centers (www.grossmanburncenter.com) are plastic surgery-based Centers of Medical Excellence specializing in the comprehensive treatment of burns -- from acute care and reconstruction, to rehabilitation and psychological counseling. Since they first began in 1969, Grossman Burn Centers have earned a world-wide reputation as innovative leaders in burn treatment. They are located in Sherman Oaks and Santa Ana.

For information: Anne Burns/Insight Communication 609-252-1300

SOURCE Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

Source: PR Newswire

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