The Play That Changed Everything

The Arizona Burn Foundation was once known as the Foundation for Burns and Trauma—and for Joe Burnside, that distinction matters.

Joe was just 12 years old when he suffered a severe leg injury while playing baseball. After sliding into home plate, the pitcher—and his cleat—landed on Joe’s leg, slicing it open. Joe remembers seeing his shin bone and tibia. Rushed to the Arizona Burn Center, Joe went from being an avid baseball player to being unable to walk for three months. In that first month alone, he underwent three surgeries. His recovery continued for years, with weekly appointments that eventually became monthly visits over the next two years.

 Finding His Team

Like many teens, Joe wasn’t immediately sold when ABF invited him to Camp Courage. But he decided to give it a try—and he’s glad he did.

“It was such an awesome trip,” he recalled.

Other camps had felt different. People would often ask what happened to his leg. At Camp Courage, everyone had a story.

As he got older, Joe drifted away from ABF—until one day, he received an invitation to Camp Hope, a program for young adults.

“That weekend, it was nice to put my guard down and be able to be vulnerable,” Joe said. “I learned so much through the workshops.”

That reconnection led to Camp Connection, which he now attends with his partner.

“The best part for me is when we sit in a circle and talk,” he shared. “Everyone is so open during those discussions.”

Coming Full Circle

And it’s not just the journey that comes full circle—it’s the friendships, too.

Joe recalls reconnecting with Daniella Campas at Camp Connection years after meeting at Camp Courage as kids. From riding bikes together back then to seeing her now as part of a panel discussion, Joe said it’s “cool to see her dedicating herself to the Foundation as an adult.”

Back in the Game

Now, he’s doing the same in his own way.

Recently, Joe hiked 21 miles from rim to river in the Grand Canyon as part of fellow survivor Jason Nelson’s Survive to Thrive Hike, raising funds for burn survivors and their families.

“It was very rewarding—especially with my leg,” Joe said. “It’s never going to be 100% but coming out of the canyon and seeing everyone at the top…it was incredible. Being around other survivors is inspiring.”

 The group raised $30,000 to support others on their recovery journeys.

“It feels rewarding to give back to an organization that’s given so much to me and others,” shared Joe.

Support for ABF’s Thrive Programs

Opportunities like Joe’s are made possible through ABF’s Thrive Programs – social gatherings, camps and retreats devoted to creating a community where no survivor has to walk their journey alone.

Learn more or support this work at azburn.org.