Grant to Support Emotional & Peer Support Thrive Programs for Burn Survivors

(PHOENIX, Aug. 11, 2025) – Mercy Care has awarded the Arizona Burn Foundation (ABF) a 2025 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $125,000. The grant will fund ABF’s Thrive Program, which provides the emotional support needed for a burn survivor and their family to thrive.

Within the Thrive umbrella, there are several programs, including Leaders in Training (LIT), , a four-year leadership training program for burn survivors aged 16-20 who have attended Camp Courage.

“As burn survivors reclaim their identity and confidence, they often desire to give back to the community, and the LIT program helps them do so. It features special programming during the week of Camp Courage and gatherings throughout the year for further leadership development,” said Arizona Burn Foundation CEO Rex Albright. This generous $125,000 grant from Mercy Care will enable us to expand our reach, offering support and resources to even more burn survivors.”

According to Albright, many LIT Program alumni go on to become counselors or lead staff at Camp Courage.

ABF’s 2025 Leaders-in-Training: Ella, AJ, Sam, Jeremy, Khiya, Julius, and Harley.

 

“Within our Thrive programs, we also have the MacDonald Wood Scholarships, which are available for burn survivors who dream of attending a community college, four-year university, or technical school,” said Albright. “Finally, a third major focus of Thrive is social gatherings.”

Albright notes that when families who have been through similar trauma come together, they are able to find peer support, comfort, and advice. To help families continue to thrive, Arizona Burn Foundation provides social gatherings, including holiday parties, Diamondback games, family picnics, and more. These gatherings provide families with the opportunity to find strength from one another as they share their triumphs and challenges.

“The Arizona Burn Foundation is creating a supportive environment where individuals can feel safe, empowered, and seen beyond their identity as burn survivors,” said Trisha Stuart, Director of Community Relations at Mercy Care. “Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensure that burn survivors receive the support and resources they deserve to thrive.”

Mercy Care, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2025, partners with organizations across Arizona that advance health equity and address social risk factors to improve health outcomes. Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy Care has invested over $38 million in community reinvestment projects that help manage chronic conditions; support mental health and well-being; address housing security; and empower recovery from substance use.

About the Arizona Burn Foundation

Founded in 1967, the Arizona Burn Foundation (ABF) improves the lives of burn survivors and their families while promoting burn prevention advocacy and education. ABF is  a private burn foundation with staff represented in Arizona burn centers, giving patients and families direct access to resources including lodging, transportation, meal vouchers, medical equipment, and peer support.

 About Mercy Care

Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.