Our YAC members have a team in the Champy-On fundraiser. Help them exceed their goal and give them bragging rights for being this year’s winning team!

The Champy-On fundraiser runs April 15, 2022 – June 11, 2022. Click here to learn more and support their efforts!

My name is Pradnya Bergdahl. I am a college student aiming for a communications degree. I have been involved with the AARBF for the past ten years. I attended my first camp in 2011 and regularly showed up for annual events. My favorite camp activity is the ropes course! I chose to be a part of the Young Adult Council because I wanted to have a voice and be part of the foundation in a more significant way. I hope to one day use my story and experience of being a burn survivor to inspire and educate those around me. I believe that working alongside my peers on the Young Adult Council will allow me to make positive and sustainable changes.

I’m Kai Levenson, I’m 19, and I use he/him and they/them pronouns. Originally from the Bay Area, I go to college in Oregon and am a history major. I was burned by hot tea at the age of 15 months; after my burn, AARBF support groups were invaluable for my family. I’ve been going to Champ Camp since I was seven, where I’ve met some of my closest friends — some of whom are also Young Adult Council members. I’m so grateful to be able to get more involved with the AARBF and make a difference in the Foundation that has helped my family so much.

My name is Megan McKeon, I’m 22 years old and I’ve been with AARBF for 15 years. When I was five months old my birth mom got severely drunk and dropped a cigarette in my crib and then passed out and left me burning for two to four hours. I have burns over 55% of my body 2-4 degree.

I never fully accepted who I was at a young age. I hated the way I looked and felt. It wasn’t until I found the burn foundation that I truly felt comfortable in my own skin. Since 2007 I have been involved in all of the events which include: Monterey Bay aquarium trip, surf trip, ski trip, outdoor trip, and finally champ camp! I am so grateful to have these amazing people on my side my entire life. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am, if it weren’t for The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation!

My name is Callie Frost. I am 19 years old and I am moving to New Mexico from Colorado to start a new adventure in my life. I’ve decided to take a year off of college to better understand the educational fields I have to choose from, but with my year off I hope to become more involved in the foundation. I have been going to AARBF events since I was 12, and like many of my peers preach, it truly did change my life. I would love to put forth my own effort to make other kids feel how the AARBF has made me feel. Which is why I am involved in the Young Adult Council. I have been a part of the Young Adult Council for over a year now and continue to grow stronger connections and develop new ideas. My overall long-term goal is to develop a way for young people to have the resources I was fortunate to have. With the help of my fellow survivors, I believe anything is possible.

My name is Sami Valdez and my camp name is Squid. I am 20 years old and a sophomore at The University of Alabama. I am also a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. I’ve been a part of the AARBF for about 4 years now and have loved every minute of it. Joining the Young Adult Council was an amazing decision because I love how closely we get to work on the board and make our own voices heard.

My name is Justyce Gaskins. I was burned at the age of 2. I have been involved with the foundation since 2012. Since then, I have been blessed with the opportunity to become a member of the Young Adult Council.

My name is Yara Heredia and I am 20 years old. I am currently in my second year of attending a community college, and I am a biology major. I attended my first AARBF event, Champ Camp, five years ago, where I realized that I would always like to be a part of the foundation. The Alisa Ann Burn Foundation was something that I needed before I realized it, which is why I joined the Young Adult Council in the hopes that I could contribute to the foundation and help other burn survivors. I have spent time with other foundations, but I realized very early on that the people that make this foundation are special, and I would like to help however I can.