CEO Corner July 2025

Dear Friends of ABF,

As extreme heat takes over the Valley, we find ourselves in our busiest time of year. Beds at Arizona’s burn centers in Phoenix and Tucson are filling up as contact burns increase. This time of year, we see a rise in families needing support after loved ones have fallen on hot asphalt or sidewalks and suffered severe burns.

This past summer, ABF saw a 69% increase in the number of people we supported due to contact burns. In this newsletter, you will hear more about one of those survivors, Bob. Bob did what many of us do without a second thought – stepped out into his backyard to check the pool. Unfortunately, tragedy struck for Bob.

In the next two months, the average costs associated with the services provided by our Client Care Services team are expected to reach more than $100,000, double the amount in February and March.

At a time when nonprofit organizations often see a decrease in donations due to people leaving for the summer and family vacations, we hope you will join us in supporting people like Bob. Your support will enable us to continue providing critical services during their recovery and emotional support long after through our social gatherings and camps tailored to burn survivors of all ages.

Speaking of camps, we recently wrapped up our 34^th annual Camp Courage in Prescott. This was my seventh camp as CEO of ABF, and it was just as inspiring as my first. The plethora of activities is one thing, but the emotional work being done is harder to convey. Seeing kids go from wearing clothing that covers their scars to short sleeves and shorts within the first few days of camp shows that camp is a safe place where there is no judgement. The activities are more than just fun, they encourage them to face their fears, trust others and manage their emotions. They are learning lifelong skills that will help them successfully navigate various aspects of their life – school, work, family, and relationships.

While it is impossible to put a value on the emotional and peer support that our teams and social gatherings provide, I will leave you with the story and video in this month’s newsletter titled: High Hopes: An Unforgettable Camp Moment. It is in moments like that that I am most proud of ABF’s nearly 60-year history and all the campers, volunteers, partners, and each of you who make our work possible. Thank you!

Warm regards,

Rex Albright

ABF CEO