My name is McKenzie Dern and I am the Regional Manager for Central California. Below is my message to you for the month of October 2022.

Happy October!! As the holidays are coming closer, I hope you are finding time to be with the ones you love. Our next big events for Central CA will be the Holiday Party and the AARBF Dinner and Dance Fundraiser. Stay tuned for more information on those!

If you are a burn survivor and family member and wish to be added to our monthly email, please email [email protected] and indicate your region.

October 27, 2022

Save the date for the next Expression Session – Art Expression, scheduled for the fourth Thursday in October at 7:00pm via Zoom.

October 15, 2022

If you’re unable to join us in-person for our 50th Anniversary Celebration in Southern California, you can still get in on the fun by participating in our virtual auction. The auction opens today, October 1st and will close during the in-person event on October 15th. Those attending in-person will be able to see the items available, but will still use the online platform to bid.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.aarbf.org/50th-anniversary-celebration/.

December 10, 2022

The annual Dinner & Dance is returning to Clovis for the 12^th year! Space for this event is limited and we sold out early last year. So, round up your friends and join us! Visit our website at https://www.aarbf.org/dinner-and-dance-2022/ to learn more. Or, email McKenzie Dern at [email protected].

December 3, 2022

Mark your calendar for this year’s holiday party. Watch your email and social media for more information coming soon!

Fresno Community Regional Medical Center – October 11, 2022 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. Contact me at [email protected] to register.

Caregiver – October 6, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, care givers and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at [email protected].

Spanish Speaking – October 18, 2022 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors. To register, please contact Daniel Chacon at [email protected].

Statewide – October 20, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at [email protected].

Peer Support – Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting, which is why the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers one-on-one Peer Support. Peer Support is a power tool for healing from a burn trauma. There is something magical that happens when one survivor sits and shares their experience and healing process with another. Peer support can relieve the feeling of being all alone in your experience. Peer support can come in many forms; a burn survivor talking to another burn survivor, a parent talking to another parent or loved one. This service is not limited to burn survivors. A burn injury can affect the entire family, caregivers and other loved ones. Contact me at [email protected] to get started today.

Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact me at [email protected] to learn more about this program.