Mount Laurel boy's burn accident prompts outpouring of support

MOUNT LAUREL – A child’s tragic accident has prompted an outpouring of support for a local family.

Donors had contributed more than $200,000 by Wednesday to a GoFundMe campaign for the family of 11-year-old Ryan Jastrzembski, a Mount Laurel boy who suffered extensive burns in a Jan. 24 incident.

The youngster was injured when he poured gasoline on a bonfire at his home on the 200 block of Ramblewood Parkway, according to an account from Mount Laurel’s fire department.

The GoFundMe appeal says Ryan, with burns over 90 percent of his body, “has a long, extremely tough road ahead to recovery."

An update Monday, attributed to Ryan's mother, said the boy had undergone multiple surgeries at a Texas burn center and "can eat whatever he wants!!! Its like Christmas morning!!"

Kathleen Jastrzembski also reflected on how her family members lives "have changed forever in the blink of an eye."

"We all have heard it. Life is too short," said her post, which urged people to avoid being unhappy and wasting time.

"Tell who you love. Have fun," she said. "We all make mistakes, but its (sic) just a life lesson."

The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. Monday, when emergency personnel responded to a report of an explosion and a person on fire, according to the fire department.

Ryan was initially transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia. He has since been taken to a burn center at Shriner’s Hospital Texas in Galveston.

"Our hospitals treat any child regardless of their ability to pay," Henry Haughey, a Shriner in Westampton who helped arrange for the Ryan's treatment in Texas. "If they have insurance, we take it. If not, we still treat."

"I am glad people are donating money for the young man," said Haughey. "His family will have tremendous expenses for a long time. But none of them will be for treatment at Shriner’s Hospital for Children."

The fund-raising effort, which was launched Jan. 25, had drawn more than 2.500 contributions by Wednesday. Many donations were accompanied by messages of support from neighbors, friends and strangers, including comments from the boy's teachers at Mount Laurel Hartford School.

The campaign quickly met its original goal of $25,000.

The target was raised to $175,000 "based on the latest revelations and associated costs,” according to the organizer, Joseph Boccuti of Blackwood.

It was increased to $200,000 then to $225,000. The campaign had raised more than $204,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

The appeal identifies the boy's father, Scott Jastrzembski, as a “dear friend and business partner" of Boccuti, president of Release Boatworks in Egg Harbor City.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ryan Jastrzembski was burned over 90 percent of his body, appeal says