What We Do
Led by world-renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon Professor Fiona Wood, the Fiona Wood Foundation is dedicated to advancing burn research and achieving scarless healing in mind and body.
We turn groundbreaking discoveries into real-world treatments that improve recovery and quality of life for burns patients and their families.
Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood FRACS AO
Professor Fiona Wood is one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers. A highly skilled plastic and reconstructive surgeon and world-leading burn specialist, she has pioneered research and technology development in burn medicine.
A burn specialist. A surgeon. A researcher. An innovator. A strong believer that a burn is more than skin deep.
Learn MoreOur Stories
Discover real journeys of resilience and recovery from people whose lives have been changed by burn injury.
These personal stories show how advancing burn research and achieving scarless healing in mind and body makes a real difference in care, treatment, and quality of life.
Cynthia’s Story
What happened? In 2007 I was in a plane crash and suffered full thickness burns to 60% of my body and I also lost both my legs.
What happened?
In 2007 I was in a plane crash and suffered full thickness burns to 60% of my body and I also lost both my legs.
My treatment and recovery journey
I was treated at RPH for my burns and given physiotherapy to help my recovery. I had to learn to walk with prosthetics.
My life now
When I was told that my PhD thesis had been approved for award, there were two people, apart from husband and parents, who I immediately wanted to tell – Fiona Wood and Dale Edgar.
The life I have now only exists because of Fiona and her team who saved my life, and Dale who kept me moving, helped me sit up for the first time and took me for my first ride in a wheelchair out of the front doors at RPH. I want them to know that their work is incredibly appreciated.
Walking with the use of prosthetics enables me to work and teach. I keep as active as I can, swimming, doing pilates and kayaking.
Despite what happened to me in 2007, I know I am incredibly lucky to be sharing my life with my amazing husband and son.
Cynthia Banham
Make a Difference
Be part of the change. Help transform lives and advance burn care.
Learn MoreNews and Events
Driving change together.
Central Park Plunge 2026
The Fiona Wood Foundation is taking the PLUNGE on Friday, 13th November 2026 (PM), where we challenge you to abseil 130 metres down Central Park Tower in the Perth CBD.
Registrations are now open, and we would love to see members of our Burn Family, FWF research team, charity partners and wider FWF community come together to take part. Whether it’s with friends, family, or colleagues, the PLUNGE is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that directly impacts the lives of burn survivors and their families.
Taking part in the Central Park Plunge was such a worthwhile experience.
For me, it had many purposes. It was an opportunity to raise money for the FWF to support their research & awareness efforts and to give back to the foundation that has provided my family and me with compassion and ongoing support throughout my daughter’s burn journey.
Additionally, stepping off the top of the building and abseiling down 130m showed my daughter (4yo at the time) that we can overcome the challenges ahead of us, if we dare to be brave.”
Jaymii
This year, the Foundation plans to use funds raised through the Plunge to support the next brilliant mind in burns research by fully funding a Research Fellow.
By investing in research talent, you enable our team to focus on discovery and advance their ideas without constraints. This accelerates the path from idea to impact, bringing new diagnostics, treatments and prevention strategies closer to patients and communities. It strengthens the research workforce, builds long-term innovation capability, and delivers compounding returns for the health system through improved outcomes and more efficient care.
How to get involved:
Choose how you would like to take part
➡️ Plunge on your own, as a pair, or a team of four
Register
➡️ Register to confirm your place, which includes a registration fee of $110 per PLUNGER
Fundraise
➡️ Set up your fundraising page and work towards your target of $1,100
Take the plunge
➡️ Join us on the day and step over the edge, knowing you are part of something that is making a huge difference to the lives of people impacted by burn injury.
Last year, all harnesses were filled in record time. To secure your place, register now, or contact Rose at rose@fionawoodfoundation.org.au