Severely Burned Santa Barbara Teen Returns Home From Hospital

A Santa Barbara teen burned while he and his friends were playing with lighter fluid is back home.

14-year-old Jacob Keefer was released from a Los Angeles burn center where he spent six weeks in and out of intensive care.

Jacob also underwent multiple skin-graft surgeries.

Jacob’s friends Noah Robinson and Alec Cavazos spent Friday afternoon putting up fliers around Skater’s Point announcing the ‘Unite 4 Jacob’ concert in his honor.

“We call each other brothers. I want to support him and his family. We need to raise money for him,” Noah said.

Alec came up with the idea to help Jacob and his mom, Kristen, during this hard time.

“It just started out as an idea and my dad talked to some of Jacob’s friends and their parents and they all decided, ‘why not do this’ and make it happen,” Alec said.

Friends are happy Jacob is back in Santa Barbara, but said his healing and recovery will take a very long time.

“That’s one of the reasons why we want to do this thing. It goes so much beyond the initial healing. It takes a long time to recover from this. We are trying to recover as a community, as parents, for our kids. There is a long road ahead. We still have to keep going,” organizer Ed Cavazos said.

Fellow concert organizer Lesli Cheverez-True said Jacob’s mom, Kristen, is so grateful for the outpouring of support.

“She can’t even believe how the whole city of Santa Barbara has rallied around her son. She is so thankful,” said Cheverez-True.

The ‘Unite 4 Jacob’ concert will take place Saturday, April, 11 at Skater’s Point in Santa Barbara from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

The event will feature music from local bands, a raffle, food vendors and a blood drive.

View the event’s flyer here.

Organizers are encouraging the community to come out and show their support for Keefer.

All proceeds raised will go to Keefer’s medical bills.

To donate click here.