In last month’s newsletter, we introduced supporters to Joe Burnside, whose journey with ABF began with a baseball accident.

Jason Webb’s story also involves a baseball… a flaming baseball that caused burns to 35% of his body and led to a 35-day stay in the burn center when he was just 13 years old.

“My family and I were introduced to the organization when I was a kid with burn injuries, decades ago,” recalled Jason. “I can honestly say that ABF and its volunteers made a true impact on my life, and I would not be the person I am today without those people giving so much of themselves back then to people like me.”

From Burn Survivor to First Responder

Jason went on to become a Fire Captain and Paramedic with the Glendale Fire Department. Yet more than 30 years later, he still makes time to volunteer with the Arizona Burn Foundation.

“Still today, I see that same positive impact being made in the lives of others by this organization and all its great volunteers,” said Jason. “So many of the programs and support offered by ABF make a difference in the lives of local burn survivors, their families, and the whole community.”

As a familiar face at many of ABF’s camps, retreats, and social gatherings, Jason is a critical part of that impact. His Camp Courage journey began as a camper. Over the past 25 years as a volunteer, he has served in a variety of roles, including Camp Director from 2013 to 2015, and today shares lifesaving skills such as CPR with ABF’s Leaders-in-Training. Along the way, he was also recognized as Firefighter of the Year in 2009.

For Jason, Camp Courage is much more than a camp:

“Camp Courage is a place where young burn survivors are reminded of their human spirit, strength, and the fact that they are still just a kid. It’s easy to forget you’re a kid when facing an exceptional injury like this, but it’s all you want, just some sense of normalcy. Seeing others who have faced or are facing a similar situation can somehow level the playing field and really allow your true personality to resurface again.”

5,000 Hours of Showing Up

Jason’s impact on ABF is just as strong as the impact Camp Courage has had on him. In fact, he has volunteered approximately 5,000 hours with ABF over the past 25 years. Whether he’s volunteering at other ABF camps and retreats, delivering trees to donors during ABF’s annual Festival of Trees gala, or supporting countless other events and programs, Jason rarely says no when help is needed.

The Impact Others See

Most recently, Jason volunteered at fellow burn survivor Glenn Jordan’s Pull-Up Challenge, counting pull-ups for participants. Fellow firefighter, Camp Courage counselor and challenge participant Nic Woolstenhulme shared:

“Jason is an inspiring person. He is a man of few words but also one of enormous kindness and positivity. He can build you up with just a smile. Thanks, Coach!”

Yet Jason is not one to take all the credit.

“So many people come together to support this community and each other. It’s my greatest reminder in life that there are truly selfless people who seem to want no more than to elevate those around them,” said Jason. “I am honored and blessed to have called them family for so long.”

Thank You, Jason

We are honored to have Jason as part of the ABF family. Thank you for more than 5,000 volunteer hours, your unwavering commitment to burn survivors, and the countless ways you’ve answered the call to serve. We appreciate you, Jason!

Learn more about volunteering with ABF here.