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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Diana and Jeff have known each other for 52 years, been together for 32 and married for 23. Like many long-term couples, they faced challenges that began to pull them apart. Diana’s accident in October 2023 was a turning point. She had been struggling with personal challenges, and one night, while Diana and Jeff were […]
Dear ABF Supporters, I recently had the privilege of spending time with some of our young burn survivors and their families at our newest camp, Camp Cousteau in Loreto, Mexico. One evening at dinner, I was deeply moved by a conversation with one of the survivor’s fathers. He shared how special this time away with […]
Three years after her initial burn injury, Hitaxi Mistry returned to the Arizona Burn Center, this time to offer peer support to another burn survivor. For Hitaxi, this was a chance to give back to a community that has embraced her. Having suffered third-degree burns on 72 percent of her body, she endured seven months […]
