Dear Friends and Loyal Supporters, It is our sincere hope this correspondence finds you and your family members safe and healthy during these troubling times that are affecting each of us today and in the weeks to come. We ask each of you to join us in expressing our sincerest gratitude and admiration for Our Nation’s First Responders, Military Personnel, Healthcare Professionals and all other Essential Personnel who are working tirelessly to confront and ultimately defeat the COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19 Pandemic is clearly having a profound affect on our foundation family. Since our inception 45 years ago the foundation has thrived due to the never-ending support of the firefighters, fire officers, family members, and loyal supporters of the FDNY, this support has established our Burn Center at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center as a long-standing recognized worldwide leader in the care of burn injury. Today our family, the FDNY, our Burn Team, their fellow Healthcare Workers/EMS Personnel within the NY Presbyterian Hospital System, and Healthcare Workers throughout the New York City Region are in a round the clock courageous battle to save lives. Please keep all of them and their families in your thoughts and prayers! The CDC Recommendations on Social Gatherings and Distancing have resulted in the cancellation/postponement of many revenue raising events for not only our foundation but for many of our fellow FDNY Affiliated organizations as well. We eagerly anticipate the re-scheduling of these critical fund-raising events and look forward to sharing with you not only our new event dates but also the re-scheduled events of our brother and sister organizations as well. Some years ago, the foundation adopted the catchphrase: “Because our work doesn’t end when the fire is out”. Now more than ever that phrase holds true! Planning for sending young burn survivors to burn camp must continue, additionally burn survivors throughout our region will now need more physical and emotional support than ever due to the current restrictions we must strictly adhere and follow in order to ensure our safety and the safety of others. In closing, as we move forward into many uneasy days ahead, the work of The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation will continue and we remain steadfast in our commitment to the burn community we serve. Please know that our charitable work would not be possible without your loyal support and the generosity you provide to us each and every day. The members of the foundation will heed the call of the CDC and work from home but are always available to take your phone calls or email inquiries. We wish you and yours continued health and safety and look forward to being together in person with all of you soon! Fraternally, Lt. Bill Leahy President 718-379-1900 thenyffburncenterfoundation@gmail.com