On January 3, 2006, six-year-old Dwight Sales along with his cousins and friends, all between the ages of 6 and 10 years old, were attending a house party in the Philippines when they decided to explore a nearby make-shift house. According to Dwight’s mother the children discovered that the house was used for storing fireworks.

While inside of the house one of Dwight’s cousins lit a firecracker, which caused a chain reaction to occur. Within minutes all of the fireworks that were stored in the house began exploding around the children. Three of the five children in the house escaped the fire that ensued, but Dwight and one other child were not as fortunate. Crouched together under a table while the fireworks exploded around them they eventually managed to flee outside with their clothes on fire.

Dwight sustained 3rd degree burns on 56 percent of his body. He has undergone 9 surgeries since 2006 at a government-run hospital in the Philippines. In 2007, the Children’s Burn Foundation learning of Dwight’s story coordinated with a family friend, Myrna Aquitania, to bring Dwight to Los Angeles in order to receive additional reconstructive treatments. Dr. Peter Grossman, co-medical director of the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, donated his services to provide state-of-the-art reconstructive surgery.

The Children's Burn Foundation funded all of Dwight’s medical, hospital, housing and transportation expenses as well as the psychological and emotional support necessary for Dwight to make a full recovery, while in Los Angeles. The Foundation also funded Dwight’s treatment for his epileptic seizures when learning of his condition.

While undergoing treatment Dwight attended elementary school in Los Angeles. The Foundation assisted in Dwight’s return to school through the School Reentry Program, which gave Dwight and his teacher tools to help him cope with staring, questions and teasing about his burns. On numerous occasions Dwight was student of the month.

Dwight also became an active participant in the Foundation’s Camp Gung-Ho and Family Camp. Dwight and his grandmother returned to the Philippines on February 15, 2009.