Burn Bulletin

During the month of February our Survivor Services Care Managers, Martha Banks and Michael Knopf, were busy visiting their local burn units to conduct presentations to hospital staff on the survivor and prevention programs and services available through AARBF. The presentations were conducted during hospital staff meetings which included staff from all shifts. It was a great opportunity to share how AARBF can provide support to their patients as well as answer any questions from staff members. Together, Martha and Michael reached 145 staff members. Thank you for all of the staff members from our partner hospitals taking the time to attend.

Applications are open now through mid-June 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.

For burn survivors pursuing higher academic degrees, Master’s level or Ph.D., use the same application for the Aiming Higher Scholarship to supplement your school cost and pave the way to your bright future.Find the link to apply by visiting our website at: https://www.aarbf.org/project/bridge-to-life-scholarship/

Calling out to all potential CITs for Champ Camp 2024. If you have not already had the chance and would like to become a CIT this year you have until Friday, March 15th to turn in your application and have it completed to the best of your abilities. Further steps will be communicated to those who have completed their application after this date.

Complete your application today at: http://app.campdoc.com/register/aarbf

We kicked off the New Year by sending one survivor and one counselor to attend the THRIVE Retreat in Canada, January 11-15. This annual retreat is hosted by the BC Firefighters Burn Fund and is designed for young adult burn survivors. At this event we quickly integrated with another sixteen survivors from across British Columbia. We were able to participate in multiple workshops and activities and brave some super cold temperatures! It is so exciting to attend exchange programs with other camps and burn foundations—by doing so we have the opportunity to visit their incredible locations and events and exchange ideas to enhance our local camp programs.

During the month of January, we shared weekly goals each Wednesday to help those who resolved to focus on their health and well-being. They are also great tips even if you resolved to not make resolutions in 2024.

Tip #1

Physical well-being: Set a goal to improve mobility, flexibility and strengths. Work towards achievable milestones such as a 10-minute stretch exercise, or walking around the block.

The new year is here! Are you thinking about creating new goals? Here are some ideas for possible goals for 2024.

Physical Wellness: Set a goal to help you improve your mobility, flexibility, and strength. Work toward an attainable goal like 10 minutes of stretching, or walking around your block.

Tip #2

Emotional well-being: Make a goal to seek counseling or support groups to address the emotional and the psychological impact of the burn injury. Learn coping skills that will help you manage any anxiety, depression or PTSD.

Emotional Wellness: Set a goal to seek counseling or support groups where you can discuss the emotional and psychological impact of your burn injuries. Learn new skills that will help you manage any anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Tip #3

Daily living Reintegration: Establish an achievable goal that can help to gradually reintegrate into your daily activities such as work, school, or social events such as calling your school social worker or counselor to ask about school options, calling a long-time friend to arrange a coffee talk over zoom or in-person. It will help you build confidence and independence.

Reintegration into daily life: Make an attainable goal that will help you gradually reintegrate into your daily activities like work, school, or social events like calling your school social worker or counselor to ask about your options, calling a friend for coffee via zoom or in person. This will help you build confidence and independence.

Tip #4

Community Engagement: Set a goal to engage in a support group, peer support, or community events to connect with others who understand your experience and offer mutual support. At AARF, we provide support groups to meet the needs of patients, burn survivors, and their support system. For additional information, location for in-person meetings, or the Zoom login please reach out to:

Martha Banks  mbanks@aarbf.org   818-848-0223 Ext 130

Michael Knopf  mknopf@aarbf.org  415-495-7223 Ext 190

For up-to-date information on upcoming Support Groups and Events visit:  www.aarbf.org

Community Involvement: Make it a goal to participate in support groups, peer support, or community events with people who understand your experience and offer mutual support. At AARBF, we provide support groups to meet the needs of burn patients, survivors, and their support system.

For additional information, in-person group locations, or links to virtual groups, please contact:

Martha Banks  mbanks@aarbf.org   818-848-0223 Ext 130

Michael Knopf  mknopf@aarbf.org  415-495-7223 Ext 190

For up-to-date information on support groups or events visit the website:  www.aarbf.org

Tip #5

Scar and Pain Management: Set a goal to follow a scar and pain management plan. Include regular moisturizing and scar massaging in your daily routine to promote scar healing and minimize discomfort. Work with a health care professional to develop a plan for reducing pain levels through physical therapy or other pain management techniques.

Pain Management and Scar Care: Set a goal to follow a plan to manage your pain and care for your scars. Including moisturizing and massaging your scars in your daily routine will promote healing of your scars and minimize discomfort. Work with a health care professional to develop a plan that can help reduce your pain level through physical therapy or other pain management techniques.

On January 12-15, 2024, the Champ Camp planning team gathered at Pismo Beach to begin preparations for Champ Camp 2024. Our group was generously hosted by “Shakespeare,” and the retreat was led by our amazing camp directors, “Rocks” and “Willow.” Dedicated volunteers from across the state and country, traveled to attend the retreat where we decided on a theme – watch for that announcement coming soon! If you’re interested in becoming a counselor, it’s not too late. Click here to visit the Champ Camp page and click on the application link.

The AARBF Staff and Board and Council met for their respective in-person retreats during the fourth week in January in Pismo Beach and Los Osos. The staff arrived in Pismo Beach on Wednesday, January 24th and dived right into a busy agenda which included learning about new operational procedures, how to make an effective presentation, fund development 101, improvements to our volunteer application and onboarding process, and several team building activities. We also assembled Champ Camp hospital bags designed for children currently being treated in California burn units. These bags contain fun camp items for the kids and information about AARBF and Champ Camp for the parents. The Care Managers will be distributing the bags over the next two months during their hospital in-service presentations.

On Friday, January 26th, the board and council members arrived and staff joined them for lunch and an awesome escape room team building activity. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to work together, using our unique skillsets to beat the clock and escape. At dinner, we were delighted to be joined by Ruch family members, including Diane Ruch Host.

On Saturday, January 27th, the board and council were joined by staff in Los Osos for the morning session which included the installation of new board members and officers, who will serve for a two-year term. We were also excited to see so many of our council members able to join in for the weekend. Staff gave a presentation on the parameters we’ve identified to determine success in our programs and services before leaving for home at Noon. The board and council continued their retreat through Sunday, January 28th, where they reviewed the goals of the various board committees and began the groundwork for a new three-year strategic plan.

Board committees are not restricted to board and council members. We have committees focused on Survivor Services, Prevention, Fund Development, Finance, and Communications. If you would like to join a committee or our board and council, please visit our website at https://www.aarbf.org/about-us/board-of-directors/ to learn more or contact us at info@aarbf. org.

Mark your calendar for the 50th Anniversary of the Torrance Firefighters Association’s Spaghetti Dinner and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 9th. We hope you will take part in this family-friendly evening while supporting Torrance Firefighters, AARBF and Champ Camp. Watch our social media for updates.

The Hanford Fire Department (Scott Mellon) and Fire Academy students from the Fresno City College (FCC), Class 61 and College of the Sequoias, Class 21-42 are raising funds for AARBF and Champ Camp by participating in the Fresno Urban Run on Sunday , May 5th. This is an annual event and our three teams will not only be competing against each other on May 5th but are also in a race to see who can be the top fundraiser. Are you for Team Hanford, Team FCC, or Team Sequoias? Show your support by visiting: https://p2p.onecause.com/fresnourbanrun2024 and cheer your team to victory!