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Support for Your Recovery

Our support groups and one-on-one peer connections help you meet others in the burn community. These relationships are important for both your physical and emotional healing. Whether you're in the hospital or recovering at home, we offer support through in-person and virtual options.

You don’t have to go through this alone—many others are on this same path of healing. Together, we grow stronger and find the power to move forward.

What Now? Going Home: a guide for burn survivors

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Post-discharge Aid
Hospital and Virtual Support Groups
1:1 Peer Support
James Bosch Grant

In-hospital and post-discharge aid

Experienced Care Managers deliver in-hospital and post-discharge aid and facilitate further connection with burn unit staff, and adult burn survivor peer counselors.

Our team is in close contact with major burn center facilities across the state, and we make every effort to visit new burn survivors during their hospital stay. We provide emergency financial assistance to burn survivors based on need, on a case-by-case basis. If approved, financial support is provided for family members in the form of gas, grocery and Target cards as well as hotel accommodations.

Post-discharge aid includes support in obtaining medical supplies, based on need, and cosmetic and image support. In addition to helping you manage both physical and emotional challenges we strongly encourage you to participate in a Support Group. Be sure to view our video where burn survivors talk about the importance of this support to their healing.

Complete this form to have us get in touch with you for in-hospital, or post-discharge aid.
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Those last few days in the burn unit were just a blur. I felt lost when I got home and didn’t remember a thing I was supposed to do. I had to get re-educated on my first clinic visit.”

Carla

Burn Survivor

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I felt like I was an adult in an infant’s body. I couldn’t open milk bottle tops. I couldn’t eat. I could barely walk. I thought my life was forever going to depend on others to help me with the simplest of tasks.”

Nils

Burn Survivor

Hospital Support Groups

Northern California
Frequency
Time
Day
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose Monthly 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Tuesday
UCSF Health Saint Francis Support Group, San Francisco Monthly 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Thursday
Central California
Fresno Community Regional Medical Center Monthly 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Tuesday
Southern California
LA General Support Group, Los Angeles Weekly 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Wednesday
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Not until I finally let my emotions escape did I have any kind of relief. My advice is to shed your emotions freely. Don’t bury them. Join a support group and seek as much contact with other patients as possible. Family and friends should do the same”

Ed

Burn Survivor

Virtual Support Groups

Frequency
Time
Day
Burn Survivor Support Group Monthly 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Tuesday
Spanish-speaking Support Group Monthly 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Tuesday
Family and Caregiver Support Group

For family members and caregivers only

(closed to burn survivors)

Monthly 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Thursday
Burn Care Professionals Support Group

For medical professionals, first responders and

nonprofit staff and volunteers only

Monthly 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Thursday
What Now? Workshop Monthly 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Thursday
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I felt welcomed into the support group and quickly connected with the other burn survivors who know what I’ve gone through. The sessions offer practical advice and have made me more comfortable with myself and my burn injuries.”

Joey

Burn Survivor

One-on-one Peer Support

Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting. Our one-on-one Peer Support program is available to burn survivors as well as family members and caregivers. Sharing with a peer who has gone through similar experiences helps with both practical and emotional challenges of burn injuries.

Please complete our Peer Support questionnaire and registration so we can identify the best match for your peer support. We will send you updates and contact information as we identify the best resource for you.

Please complete this form and we will get in touch with you.  
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Hear from burn survivors about peer support

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Online peer support is a great way to connect with fellow survivors. I have the opportunity to connect now with people across the state who I wouldn’t have gotten to know except through these sessions.”

Julie

Burn Survivor

Martha Banks inspired to care for other burn survivors

martha
martha

Martha was burn-injured on a public bus when she was 11 years old in Guadalahara, Mexico. Martha met burn survivor and advocate James Bosch when she was 13. Bosch’s passion for service to the burn community inspired her to follow his path, and today she is a Care Manager at AARBF.

Read more about Martha’s story

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James Bosch Therapy Grant

Focus: Therapy financing
For: Burn survivors, family members or care givers
Restrictions: Must reside in California
Selection Criteria: Need based;
Active members of Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation Community


James Bosch was burned as an infant and became leader in the burn community, helping burn survivors and their families heal through counseling and volunteering for many organizations including the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and the Phoenix Society. His impact on many lives across his life— with his ready smile, humor and passion to support others in their healing journey was legendary. He inspired many to become counselors, and for all who knew him to strive to be better.

The James Bosch Therapy Grant provides financial assistance for therapeutic counseling for burn survivors, family members or caregivers.

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Rehab is tough. I cried a lot, but I lived through it. Although sometimes I didn’t see it that way. But because I lived through it I can walk upright instead of being bent over, and I can move my right arm.

Thelma

Burn Survivor