Burn victim's family grateful for 'overwhelming' community support

Autumn Hamilton, a 16-year-old girl critically injured in a Glendale Heights fire pit explosion last weekend, remains in a medically-induced coma as doctors treat the third-degree burns that covered most of her upper body, her uncle said Thursday.

The sophomore at Glenbard East High School in Lombard underwent a successful skin graft surgery Tuesday, and doctors are preparing to perform another procedure Friday morning at Loyola University Medical Center near Maywood, Daniel Hamilton said.

Autumn was one of five teens taken to the center's burn unit after the explosion at a house party Saturday night. She faces a grueling road to recovery, but her family expressed gratitude for the professionalism of the medical team at Loyola and the community's generosity.

As of Thursday evening, an online fundraiser for Autumn's medical bills had raised nearly $85,000 toward its $250,000 goal in only three days.

Her family also plans to attend a car wash benefit organized by Glenbard teachers for the students injured in the explosion. Donations will be accepted at the entrance to the car wash in the school's south parking lot May 12.

"It's been overwhelming in a positive way," Daniel Hamilton said. "The school, the local community, all of the prayers, we greatly appreciate it. We will continue to need all of their prayers and support. She has a long road ahead of her and multiple surgeries and rehab."

His niece is an outgoing teen and doubles tennis player also involved with dance. Her uncle is speaking on behalf of her parents, who are struggling with a "roller coaster of emotions." The family has health insurance but will "sustain a lot of medical costs out of pocket," Daniel Hamilton said.

"We want to get Autumn the best treatment, the best care, that is available," he said.