Teen Dances Out of Staten Island Hospital After Three Months of Burn Treatment

17-year-old Sarah danced her way out of Staten Island University Hospital's Jerome L. Finkelstein, MD, Regional Burn Center on May 30, after three months of painful treatment. Sarah successfully recovered from injuries and extreme burns covering 60% of her body after her home in Gaza, Palestine was bombed by Israel in December 2023.

HEAL Palestine raised funds to fly Sarah by medical plane to New York City in March, and provide her medical treatment. HEAL Palestine was founded by Steve Sosebee, who was present for Sarah's release from SIUH. Sosebee founded the Palestine Children's Relief Fund in 1991, with a mission to provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to children throughout the Levant, regardless of their nationality or religion. Sosebee launched Heal Palestine this January to be more of a holistic organization. HEAL Palestine’s mission is to transform the lives of Palestinian youth by providing essential healthcare, educational support, humanitarian aid, and leadership development opportunities.

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Sosebee credited Sarah's recovery on her "determination to live, and the amazing care she got from the doctors and nurses through the support of Northwell." In a video that appeared on Instagram, SIUH staff clapped Sarah on as she exited the burn unit. Despite her physical recovery, there is no doubt Sarah will require additional care, including mental health care. The Israeli attack on Sarah's home killed two of her brothers. Israel has killed at least 15,971 Palestinian children in just the last 247 days.