Wouldn't it be wonderful if a genie came on the scene, and with a wave of his magic wand healed all those children who are suffering from the agony and scars of burns? Statistics show that those most at risk of being accidentally burnt are babies and toddlers up to two years. Knocking over a kettle of boiling water or spilling a piping hot cup of tea can cause serious burns to a child's body.
This is the reason most of the patients at the Prince of Wales Hospital Burns Unit are children.
We may not have genies around, but we can still perform 'magic' to help these unfortunate children by taking part in Operation Santa Claus, an annual charity programme run by RTHK Radio 3 and the South China Morning Post. This year the goal is to raise $3 million for the Prince of Wales Burns Unit.
The money will be used to buy essential equipment, such as a laser scanner and a hydro-theraphy whirlpool for the burns unit.
Injuries from burns are extremely difficult to treat. The physical trauma can cause long-term mobility problems and disfiguring scars. Psychological problems take even longer time to heal.
Some of the victims of the Pat Sin Leng hill fire tragedy earlier this year are still recovering at the Prince of Wales Burns Unit.
Over the past eight years, Operation Santa Claus has raised nearly $30 million for children's charities.
