Burn Bulletin

During the week of April 13th, our director, Katrina, joined hundreds of other Burn Care professionals at the 2026 American Burn Association’s Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. The yearly gathering of Nurses, Surgeons, Doctors, Firefighters, Burn Camp Directors, and Burn Foundation leaders from all over the US offers opportunities to build new partnerships, learn about new treatments, share groundbreaking studies, and collaborate in caring for burn survivors. Katrina had the chance to connect with our hospital partners from Santa Clara Valley Medical, UC Irvine, Torrance Memorial, LA General, and UCLA, as well as our Burn Foundation partners from the Children’s Burn Foundation, Phoenix Society, IAFF Burn Camps, and Bakersfield Firefighter Burn Foundation.

On April 15th, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation had the opportunity to attend an event where we were honored to receive a grant from the Central California Women’s Conference (CCWC). We would like to extend a special thank you to burn survivor Veronica for accompanying our Camps and Recreation Manager, Erika, and for helping represent our community in such a meaningful way. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow nonprofits across the Central Valley and to be part of a space that reflects a shared commitment to supporting individuals across different stages of life. CCWC’s mission to empower and transform women directly supports and strengthens our work, as many of those we serve are women, caregivers, and families navigating the burn recovery journey. 

We truly appreciate their support and investment in our work. Contributions like this continue to make a meaningful impact on the burn community.

On Saturday, April 18th, we joined the Colma Firemen’s Social Club for their awesome Chicken and Polenta Dinner. The community support for this event has always been outstanding, and this year was no different. Although we ran out of chicken, everyone took it in stride, because what’s better than supporting a great cause by enjoying a home-cooked meal with great company.

A special thank you to Colma Firefighters for continuing to support AARBF through this annual event. We appreciate you so much, and look forward to spending more time alongside you in the future.

In March, the Clovis Rodeo Association hosted the 2026 Cowgirl Up Luncheon, which raised funding for AARBF as its charity of choice. AARBF’s Katrina was joined by camper Payton to accept the check at the 112th Clovis Rodeo on Sunday, April 25th. Payton and his family enjoyed PBR-level Bull Riding, Calf Roping, and Championship Barrel Racing while helping to thank the Clovis Rodeo Association for their generous donation of $46,000 to help send youth burn survivors to Champ Camp. Thank you for your support.

This month, we are excited to recognize Marissa “Hydra” McCallough and the many ways she continues to show up for the AARBF community. Hydra first got involved as a lifeguard at Champ Camp in the summer of 2010, a role that was meant to be temporary, but quickly became something more after she fell in love with the community. 

She always knew she wanted to go into nursing, but it was her time at Champ Camp that helped guide her into burn care. She later returned as a Champ Camp counselor in 2018 and has continued to grow her involvement ever since. 

You can find Hydra across so many of our programs, from Young Adult Summit and Outdoor Trips to Ski Trip, Getaway, Surf Trip, Monterey Bay Aquarium Day, and Women’s Empowerment Weekend. She also stays connected through burn support spaces and continues to advocate for the community in meaningful ways. 

Outside of volunteering, Hydra created “Thrift for a Cause,” hosting yard sales with support from her friends and family to raise funds for Champ Camp and help keep it going strong. 

Hydra, thank you for choosing AARBF as your chosen family and for continuing to pour into this community. We appreciate you so much. 

Camper Applications

We are excited about the upcoming 41st Champ Camp on June 6th – 13th. We would love to have your child be a part of this magical experience, but time is running out to get your child’s application submitted. Our registration for campers closes on May 22nd. Register today at http://app.campdoc.com/register/aarbf

For more information about Champ Camp or concerns about camp conflicting with your child’s school schedule, please contact Erika “Kika” Mendoza at emendoza@aarbf.org.  

Amazon Wish List

Each year we create an Amazon wish list with supplies needed for our arts and crafts, water and unit activities for camp. For the past three years, our community has gone above and beyond in completely fulfilling our list. We are asking for your generosity again this year.

If you would like to help, please share the link on your social media or make a purchase today: https://a.co/0eGgXTDn

For more information, contact Erika “Kika” Mendoza at emendoza@aarbf.org.

Chili Cook-Off

Registration for this year’s Champ Camp Chili Cook-Off is open. Time to dust off your best Chili recipe and join us to see who will take home the coveted award for BEST Chili.

Register today at: https://www.aarbf.org/champ-camp-chili-cook-off/

For more information, please contact Katrina Arthur at karthur@aarbf.org.

You Can Send a Child to Camp

Our annual Champy-On fundraiser kicked off on May 1st and will run for the next six weeks.  Watch our social media each Friday to learn about Champ Camp and the lasting impact it has on our burn survivor youth. 

For Week 1, we started with a brief history about Champ Camp. 

In 1985, AARBF hosted its first youth burn survivor camp, bringing together survivors, burn care professionals, and AARBF volunteers for a week-long summer camp, where children 5-17 could share the joys of summer, friendship, and healing away from the stares and struggles of everyday life. Over the last 41 years, with the help of our dedicated AARBF staff, board and council members, volunteers, and donors like you, we have brought together over 3,000 children to experience the magic of camp, build their community, and find a home away from home.  

“Champ Camp gives us a chance to feel like we belong, having time with other people that can relate to us.”  – Destiny M-W., 15 

Over the next 6 weeks, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation asks you to build a team, join our community, and donate to the 2026 Champy-On and help us raise $30,000 to send youth burn survivors to Champ Camp. It is with your support that we can provide a place where kids come together and build lifelong friendships, grow their confidence, and thrive through the process of healing.  Visit our Champy-On page today at: https://givebutter.com/champyon2026

We offer a great opportunity to get free money for your education beyond high school. Apply today for the Woody and Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship. This incredible program, made possible by the Reed family, awards scholarships to burn survivors or their immediate family members seeking post-secondary education after high school. This can be community college, college, university, or trade school and is open to all ages going directly into or returning to education.

Apply today at: https://forms.gle/bffj8qEcspGto69m7

Mark your calendars – the 2026 AARBF Dinner & Dance will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Tickets will go on sale June 15th.  Group tables, sponsorships, and partnership opportunities are available. Reach out to Katrina at karthur@aarbf.org for more information.

Our thoughts are with the Oken Family as we remember and honor the memory and legacy of Stan Oken. The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is honored to be a part of Stan’s legacy through Champ Camp.

On November 21, 1980, Stan Oken was staying on the 21st floor of the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas when heavy black smoke filled the hallway. Not knowing where the fire was but knowing he needed to leave the building immediately, he started down the stairwell. With people backing up the stairwell and the doors to the floors locked, Stan realized he needed to find another escape route, turned, and went up the stairs to the 26th floor, where he was able to reach a helicopter that flew him and others to safety. About 5,000 people were in the hotel, and 85 perished in the fire. Stan experienced and sought help for survivor’s guilt. He decided the best healing was to give back to other survivors.  

Our burn camp had only been in existence for a couple of years when Stan’s family began subsidizing the camp. Stan went to the AARBF board and told them the children needed a camp that could prepare them for real life, not just a one-week protected experience. He told them they shouldn’t be calling it a burn camp; it should be called “Champ Camp” because the children are champions going through surgeries and recovery! Stan has said, “Champ Camp has been the biggest thing in my life that has touched me.”  With the support of Stan Oken and the entire Oken Family, Champ Camp was moved to Wonder Valley, where it will be hosting its 41st camp in June. A milestone made possible by Stan’s choice to heal through giving.

We will miss you, Stan. Thank you for being our champion.  

The Oken family invites you to join them for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, April 19th, at Wonder Valley, starting at 11:30 am. Details are available here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fresno-ca/stan-oken-12753066