Burn Bulletin

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and as burn survivors, some may face different and unique challenges such as physical pain, emotional trauma and social isolation. Burn injuries may result in chronic pain that often requires pain management.  Some burn survivors may self-medicate developing dependencies on pain medication or turn to alcohol as a way of “managing” or escaping from the discomfort.

If we add the psychological impact of a burn injury and the possible emotional challenges of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and body image, the overwhelmed emotions may lead burn survivors to misuse substances as a coping mechanism. Isolation is another challenge that survivors face; it is hard to reintegrate into society and feel accepted for some of them, and that is why isolation and loneliness are high risk of substance abuse.

Burn survivors can address these challenges by using a combination of preventing strategies, identifying risk factor, having strong family connections, openly communicate about substance abuse and by connecting with individuals and mentors that can provide guidance. Let us not forget about comprehensive pain management, peer support, support groups, therapy services and our What Now Workshop that will focus on Substance Abuse this month. Join us on April 17, 2025 at 7:00pm Pacific time. For more information, please reach out to Martha Banks at mbanks@aarbf.org.

Our Fresno Urban Run fundraising teams have a hefty goal this year and need your help. Hanford Fire Department (Scott Mellon), Fresno City College Fire Academy, Class of 63, and the College of the Sequoias Fire Academy Class 21-43 are all competing to see who the top fundraiser in 2025 will be.

In addition to their fundraising efforts, team members will also be participating in the Fresno Urban Run on Sunday, May 4th. You can join them on the Run-day by registering for the event at: https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/CA/Fresno/FresnoUrbanRun

If you would like to help your favorite team reach their fundraising goal, hop on over to the fundraising page at: https://givebutter.com/FresnoUrbanRun2025

Did you hear the news? The 43rd annual SoCal Golf Tournament will be held earlier this year on Tuesday, May 6th. This annual event is once again hosted by our friends at Red Pointe Roofing. 

Date: May 6
Location: Black Gold Country Club, Yorba Linda, CA
Check-in Begins: 9:30am
Shot Gun Start: 11:00am

Individual Golfer and Team tickets on sale now at: https://myevent.com/aarbfgolf

We look forward to seeing you there!

Applications are open through May 31, 2025 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 PhD, use the same application for the Aiming Higher Scholarship, funded through Care Plans for Life, to supplement your school cost and pave the way to your bright future.

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

For questions, please contact us at info@aarbf.org.

The AARBF website has been completely redesigned with you in mind!

What’s Changed?

Friendly Layout – Cleaner design for both computer and mobile devices

Simplified Navigation – Quickly find content with the improved menu and content headers

Enhanced Donation Portal – Offering both credit card and digital payment options with tax receipts provided instantly through email

Improved Events Calendar – Easily find upcoming events right from the home page

Increased Connection – Connect with AARBF on services most important to you by utilizing the contact forms available throughout the site

Click here to visit our home page to check out our new look today.

AARBF’s Daniel Chacon and Michael Knopf kicked off the month of February by attending the Santa Clara Crab Feed on the 1st. We were excited to see the return of this event which was held at the Great America Pavilion in Santa Clara. There were over 250 people in attendance, enjoying terrific food and having the opportunity to learn about AARBF.

Thank You to Santa Clara City Firefighters Foundation for supporting AARBF and to Elizabeth “Tum Tum” Harkins for spending some time with us. This year’s event raised $10,000 for AARBF.   

The first full week of February is National Burn Awareness Week (NBAW). NBAW was created by our friends at the American Burn Association, as an annual initiative to bring together burn, fire and life safety educators to educate the public about the devastation and causes of burn injuries and the steps you can take to prevent them.

This week’s theme is “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play – Preventing Burns in the Homes.” We shared tips on our social media throughout the week to show ways to prevent burn injuries to keep you and your family safe. 

On Wednesday, February 5th, AARBF partnered with nine fire departments, the Fresno Fire Chiefs Foundation, the CRMC Burn unit, and the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union for the 10th Annual Central Valley Firefighters Burn Relay. The relay traveled across the valley starting in Madera headed to Clovis, Sanger, and down into Kingsburg before heading to the Fresno County Fire Museum at the Fresno Fire Headquarters in downtown Fresno. AARBF is proud to partner with these Fire Departments who donated a total of $19,000 in support of AARBF and our burn survivor programs, such as Champ Camp. 

Thank you to CALFIRE MMU LOCAL 2881, CALFIRE FKU LOCAL 2881, Fresno Fire Local 202, Clovis Firefighters Local 1695, Sanger Firefighters Association, Selma Firefighters Association, Kingsburg Firefighters Association, Hanford Firefighters Association, Fresno Fire Chiefs Association, Coalinga Firefighters Association and a special thank you to the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union for sponsoring the luncheon for all participating departments. 

On Thursday, February 6th, AARBFs Michael Knopf and Katrina Arthur joined CRMC Burn Unit Staff at their Burn Awareness Day on campus at Community Regional Medical Centers, Fresno. During the event, they shared burn prevention tips and educational materials with 209 visitors. Even Franco the therapy dog got in on the action, showing attendees how to Stop, Drop & Roll!  Thank you to the Burn Unit staff for inviting us to share the work and mission of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.