Kyra Bradley was rushed to Parkland’s Burn Center suffering third-degree burns after an angry dinner guest threw a pan of hot cooking oil on her face, arms and chest. Upon arrival, she was impressed by the nationally renowned comprehensive burn unit.
“It was just like a scene from TV,” Kyra recalls. “Everyone worked together so efficiently.”
With burns covering 24 percent of her body and needing several skin grafts, Kyra spent the next two weeks in Parkland’s Burn Intensive Care Unit followed by months of outpatient care.
“While in the hospital and recovery, I felt like everyone at Parkland really cared about me,” she added. “They knew my name. I felt like I was part of a family.”
A year after the attack, Kyra was able to return to school to finish her master’s degree in social work. She rejoined the Parkland family as a Community Development Specialist at the VIP/Rape Crisis Center, supporting patients in need every day.
“Parkland is not just a hospital, it’s a comprehensive system and we have a very unique patient population,” explained Kyra. “My job is so perfect for me because I am connecting people in need with Parkland's resources. It comes naturally because of the experience I had here as a patient.”
Over the years, Parkland has provided social and emotional support for burn survivors like Kyra. That critical piece in her recovery inspired her to establish an endowment at Parkland that supports patients that have survived family and abuse.
“Because I know the good work we do, I wanted to do my part in making sure people continue to receive the help they need to heal.”
“I stand for Parkland because we provide quality healthcare no matter what your situation or income,” said Kyra. “To support Parkland is to help those in our community who need it most.”
Your support will help give patients like Kyra their best chance at healing, recovering and getting back to living their lives.
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