Category: stories

April 13, 2026

Meet the Hikers: Conquering the Canyon

Conquering the Canyon is a Rim‑to‑River Grand Canyon hike, hosted by burn survivor and former ABF Board Chair Jason Nelson, where participants take on one of nature’s toughest challenges to raise funds and awareness for burn survivors and their families. Each step of this journey is fueled by purpose. Meet the ten incredible hikers taking […]

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March 16, 2026

The Power of Shared Experience After a Burn Injury

For burn survivors, healing doesn’t stop when the wounds close. The Arizona Burn Foundation focuses on what comes next… confidence, connection and community. Recently, we welcomed eight young adult burn survivors to Sedona, Arizona for Camp Thrive. From yoga sessions and vision board workshops to shared meals and open conversations, Camp Thrive offers these survivors […]

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February 18, 2026

The Camp That Changed Everything

Recovery from a burn injury isn’t linear. Sometimes, the journey even comes full circle. That’s exactly the case for Rebecca Riffel. A Life-changing Injury – and an Unexpected Invitation As a middle schooler, Becca’s pajamas caught on fire from a nearby candle, leaving her with third-degree burns on 17% of her body. During her recovery, […]

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November 18, 2025

Two Paths, One Purpose: Ella & Nikki’s Unforgettable Experience at International Burn Camp

When 15-year-old Ella stepped onto the plane this October with Tempe Firefighter, Nikki, she was carrying more than a suitcase. She carried the resilience and courage that earned her the title of the Arizona Burn Foundation’s 2025 Camper of the Year and the perfect representative for ABF at the International Association of Firefighter’s (IAFF) International […]

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October 16, 2025

Safety Starts with Community

Armed with drills, ladders, and compassion, ABF, our partners and volunteers spend their Saturday mornings knocking on doors, installing alarms, and empowering their neighbors to keep their community safe. Each new smoke alarm represents not just safety — but hope. Hope that spreads from doorstep to doorstep as ABF and partners hit the ground in […]

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October 16, 2025

A Family Forever Changed: Terrance’s Journey of Recovery & Healing

“Terrance has been hit by a car!” They’re words no parent ever wants to hear. Just over a year ago, those were the exact words that Terrance’s family heard when his best friend ran into their house, panicked. The two boys had been playing outside when tragedy struck – nine-year-old Terrance was accidentally run over […]

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September 18, 2025

Supporter Spotlight: Healing Takes (Angel) Flight – Jacob’s Story

Jacob is a courageous 12-year-old from Northeastern Arizona who was recently injured from a flash burn – a burn caused from sudden, intense heat – while burning trash. He suffered burns on his face, ear, and hands, and faced every step of recovery with strength. ⁠ His treatment took him and his stepdad more than […]

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September 18, 2025

Helping Kids Heal – One Classroom at a Time

It was a sweltering summer day when Nicole, ABF’s Client Care Programs Administrator, arrived at an East Valley elementary school with a special guest: Alan the sloth. They were there to meet a group of second graders as part of ABF’s school re-entry program, which helps young burn survivors reintegrate into school life with confidence […]

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August 12, 2025

Walking a Familiar Path

For Josh and Malakai Clark, walking a familiar path means facing the same trauma across generations – but with ABF’s support, that path leads towards healing for both. A Thanksgiving Turned Tragic It was Thanksgiving Day, and Josh Clark had just sat down for dinner when his phone rang. Seeing it was his boys’ mother […]

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July 15, 2025

Camp Courage 2025: More Than Just a Summer Camp

One-by-one, cars pulled up early on a Sunday morning as kids with backpacks and pillows spilled out. The bus to Camp Courage was filling up fast. For the past 34 years, dozens of campers and volunteers have gathered in Prescott for a week of skill-building, connection, and pure enjoyment! This year was no exception. Camp […]

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