The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers monthly in-person and online support groups. Our support groups provide an opportunity to connect with other burn community members and help each other to not only survive, but to thrive. Due to COVID-19, in-person support groups are currently being held online but will return to in-person as soon as it is safe to do so. Please click here to see when the next group is meeting.
Support Groups
In-Person Regional Support Groups
Southern California
Southern California Support Group – currently online only due to COVID-19
Date: The first Sunday of every month from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: AARBF Pasadena Office 50 N. Hill Avenue, Suite 305, Pasadena
Registration: Contact Margarita Rodriguez at 800-242-BURN or mrodriguez@aarbf.org. Lunch is provided and transportation is available.
Central California
Fresno Community Regional Medical Center Support Group – currently online only due to COVID-19
Date: The second Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Fresno Community Regional Medical Center 2823 Fresno St, Fresno
Registration: Contact McKenzie Dern at 559-286-0710 ext. 15 or mdern@aarbf.org
Northern California
North/East Bay Support Group – currently online only due to COVID-19
Date: The second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: 2210 W College Ave, Santa Rosa
Registration: Contact Scott Wertz at 415-495-7223 x19 or swertz@aarbf.org
Saint Francis Support Group – currently online only due to COVID-19
Date: The last Thursday of every month from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Bothin Burn Center 900 Hyde St, 5th Floor, San Francisco
Registration: Contact Scott Wertz at 415-495-7223 x19 or swertz@aarbf.org
State-Wide Online Support Groups
Burn Survivor Support Group
Date: The third Thursday of every month from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Registration: Contact Daniel Chacon at 415-495-7223 x 18 or dchacon@aarbf.org
Spanish-Speaking Support Group
Date: The third Tuesday of every month from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Registration: Contact Margarita Rodriguez at 800-242-BURN or mrodriguez@aarbf.org
Family and Caregiver Support Group
Date: The first Thursday of every month from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Registration: Contact Daniel Chacon at 415-495-7223 x 18 or dchacon@aarbf.org
This discussion group is for family members, caregivers and loved ones of burn survivors throughout California. This group is closed to Burn Survivors.
Burn Care Professionals Support Group
Date: The second Thursday of every month 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom
Registration: Contact Daniel Chacon at 415-495-7223 x 18 or dchacon@aarbf.org
This discussion group is for medical professionals, first responders, as well as, nonprofit staff and volunteers, throughout California.