Family pays it forward to young burn victims after their experience

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (WPVI) -- local parents are sharing their story of a home tragedy that can happen in the blink of an eye - Their little girl was scalded with hot oil.

Now, years later, she's healed, but the family is paying it forward, helping other families battling burns.

Now they hope to raise awareness about prevention.

"As I finished stepping down my whole life flashed before my eyes," says 11-year-old Emma Kupper as she reads her recent essay about an accident that happened when she was just 4 years old.

She was helping her Dad cook in the kitchen.

Todd Kupper says when they finished, "She turned around, was washing her hands on the stool and slipped off the stool."

While falling, she grabbed a still hot skillet of oil.

It went on her head, her chest and mostly her left foot.

In the hospital, it was swollen, and big parts of the skin were blistered up.

Emma went through months of treatment for a severe burn.

"It was very difficult not to be able to help when they are hurting like that and she was in a lot of pain," says her mother Lisa.

Now, all that physically remains is a scar.

Emma tells me she used to feel self-conscious but writing helps.

And so has helping other kids.

The family created the non-profit Heal the Burn foundation to provide resources and prevention tips, such as:

*Keep young kids out of the kitchen when cooking

*Put handles of pots towards the back or center of the stove

*Don't hold hot liquids while holding small children

The Heal the Burn foundation also raises money to send kids to Camp Susquehanna, a week long camp for kids with minor to severe burns.

"They get to do things that they maybe would be shy doing at a regular camp or couldn't do at a regular camp they're with a staff member or therapist the whole time, they get to do things like horseback riding, zip-lining, swimming," says Emma's father Todd.

They say seeing how Emma loves horseback riding, and how she and her brother love games and camp, it seemed like a perfect fit to help other kids.

"It feels good that I can help them feel less self-consious," says Emma.

Therapists at Camp Susquehanna also help kids to cope with the emotionally trauma of a burn.

The camp is free to kids. All the funding is based on sponsors and donations.

The Coopers are hosting a fundraiser for the camp this Thursday, April 27th at Pagano's Market & Bar, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA.

It runs from 5:30-8:30pm featuring food, wine, beer and Jack Daniels tasting.

There will be silent auctions held during the event.

For more information or to register, click here.

All proceeds from sales will go directly to helping children that had life-altering burns who need help.