My name is McKenzie Dern and I am the Regional Manager for Central California. Below is my message to you for the month of November 2022.

Hi there!! Happy November. I hope you are getting ready for all of the holidays coming up. Here at AARBF, we have some exciting things coming up. Don’t forget to register for our Holiday Party and our AARBF Fundraiser Dinner both happening in December. If you are interested in volunteering for either event, please reach out to me!

If you are a burn survivor and family member and wish to be added to our monthly email, please email info@aarbf.org and indicate your region.

December 10, 2022

Have you purchased your tickets for the Dinner & Dance in Clovis? Space for this event is limited and we sold out early last year. So, round up your friends and join us! Visit our website at https://www.aarbf.org/dinner-and-dance-2022/ to learn more.

If you would like to volunteer for this super fun event, please click here.

December 3, 2022

You’re invited to the Central California Holiday Party. We will be at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 3rd. There will be lunch, holiday crafts, presents and pictures with Santa. It’s a great time to spend with family and introduce them to your burn survivor friends!

Don’t delay – the deadline to register is November 25th. Click here to register today.

November 29, 2022

Watch for more information coming soon on our social media or via email on this month’s Writing Expression. Please note: The date for November has been changed to a Tuesday, the time 7:00PM, remains the same.

Fresno Community Regional Medical Center – November 8, 2022 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to register.

Caregiver – November 3, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, care givers and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org.

Spanish Speaking – November 15, 2022 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors. To register, please contact Daniel Chacon at dchacon@aarbf.org.

Statewide – November 17, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org.

Peer Support – Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting, which is why the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers one-on-one Peer Support. Peer Support is a power tool for healing from a burn trauma. There is something magical that happens when one survivor sits and shares their experience and healing process with another. Peer support can relieve the feeling of being all alone in your experience. Peer support can come in many forms; a burn survivor talking to another burn survivor, a parent talking to another parent or loved one. This service is not limited to burn survivors. A burn injury can affect the entire family, caregivers and other loved ones. Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to get started today.

Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to learn more about this program.