At the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF), we are committed to providing support, hope, and empowerment to burn survivors and their families across California. For over five decades, our foundation has been at the forefront of offering emotional, physical, and social support to survivors. As we reflect on 2024, we are proud of our growth and the resilience of those we serve. This year, we’ve expanded our reach, providing life-changing assistance to more burn survivors, while also fostering a stronger sense of community for those on their healing journey. One such story of resilience and transformation is that of Rosa Diaz.

In December 2007, just as the holidays began, Rosa suffered a severe burn injury. What should have been a season of joy turned into one of pain and uncertainty. Yet, her journey from isolation to community reminds us of the difference we can make, especially during the holidays when hope and healing are needed most.

Rosa was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of immigrant parents and sister to two brothers. Despite facing many challenges growing up, Rosa found solace in her education. Her love for learning became her path to confidence and ultimately earned her a scholarship to attend a private school. From a young age, Rosa dreamed of becoming a doctor, believing that education was the key to a better life. Determined to make that dream a reality, she made the bold decision to move to California and pursue her studies at San Francisco State University.

However, life took an unexpected turn. Shortly after arriving in California, Rosa’s ex-boyfriend moved to San Francisco to be with her. Initially, his presence was a source of comfort, especially since Rosa had become estranged from her family. But things quickly began to unravel. Rosa started noticing troubling changes in his behavior—money went missing, he became increasingly controlling, spying on her phone and insisting she never leave the house without him. Although she recognized these red flags, Rosa dismissed them, attributing his actions to his struggle adjusting to life in California and his growing alcohol use. But soon, the relationship spiraled into an abusive situation, and drinking was no longer the only issue. Rosa found herself forced to drop out of school and work two jobs to support both herself and her partner.

Rosa tried to break free many times, but each attempt only made the situation worse. Her ex-boyfriend stalked her, begged her to come back, and even threatened to harm himself if she didn’t. Despite the escalating danger, Rosa felt trapped, torn between the belief that he needed her and the deep love she still felt for him. She hoped rehab would be the solution, but after several failed attempts at sobriety, things only seemed to spiral further out of control. Then one day, Rosa discovered a gun in her ex’s backpack. Unsure whether it was meant for her, she realized she could no longer ignore the danger. She knew it was time to end things for good.

On December 4, 2007, Rosa’s ex convinced her to return to their old apartment one last time to retrieve their security deposit after cleaning up. It was meant to be the final task before Rosa could close the chapter on her relationship and move on with her life. The last thing left to do was unclog the sink. Rosa’s job was to hold the drain open with a pair of pliers while her ex poured chemicals down it. Already on edge and nervous to be around him, her ex began to jokingly pretend to splash her with the bottle. Fearing for her safety, Rosa told him to stop and asked him not to be careless. He taunted her, saying, “Oh! You’re scared now?… You’re scared!” Rosa tried her best to stay calm and asked him to stop playing around. But in an instant, he flipped the bottle, and the chemicals splashed directly onto her. Seeing it coming in the mirror, Rosa turned her face away, but it was too late. The chemicals hit her face, neck, and chest, and her clothes immediately began to shred. The searing pain was unbearable—her skin felt like it was melting, and her eye sealed shut as she collapsed to the ground.

Rosa, fearing for her life, struggled to get to the shower to wash off the chemicals, but her ex refused to call 911. Only after realizing the chemicals had splashed onto his own hands did he finally reach out for help. Rosa was rushed to St. Francis Hospital Burn Center, where her physical and emotional healing began—a long and painful journey.

In the aftermath of the attack, Rosa was overwhelmed by shame and guilt. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was somehow to blame for what had happened. Lying in her hospital bed, she confided in a nurse, saying, “I must have done something bad to deserve this.” The compassionate nurse took her hand and gently reassured her, saying, “No one deserves this. You did nothing wrong.” Slowly, Rosa began to process the gravity of her injuries and the trauma she had endured. It was then that the painful truth sank in—this was no accident. He had meant to harm her.

Upon her release from the hospital after a month in the burn center, Rosa was confronted with an even more devastating reality. Not only was she left without a place to live, but all of her belongings had been stolen while she was recovering. On top of that, she had to manage her own medical needs, with no emotional support and the constant fear that her abuser might try to re-enter her life. The weight of the situation felt unbearable, and Rosa struggled to see how she could move forward.

During a follow-up visit to the hospital, Rosa first encountered a staff member from the Burn Foundation. Initially, Rosa was hesitant to engage, feeling as though no one could ever truly relate to her story. She felt hopeless, isolated, and convinced that no one could understand the depth of her pain. Although many attempts were made to connect her with the burn community, Rosa wasn’t ready to reach out—until she met Sadie, another burn survivor. Sadie had experienced a similar attack, and her support became a lifeline for Rosa. For the first time, Rosa felt truly seen and understood. This connection marked a turning point in her healing journey. “Sadie saved my life.”

With Sadie’s guidance and the support of AARBF, Rosa began attending burn survivor retreats, participating in peer support groups, and receiving therapy—resources she had previously been unable to access. Over time, Rosa’s healing accelerated. She learned to see herself not as a victim, but as a survivor with the power to help others. She became a peer supporter, specializing in helping other survivors who have experienced both domestic violence and burn injuries.

December 4th marked seventeen years since Rosa’s burn injury. For many years, the holiday season was a difficult reminder of all she had lost. However, today, December symbolizes something entirely different—new beginnings and deep gratitude for the blessings she has found along the way.

Today, Rosa is a beacon of hope. She has graduated from community college and is currently in the process of applying to nursing school. She is proud of how far she has come and is deeply committed to giving back to the burn survivor community that supported her during her own recovery. As she reflects on her journey, she says:

“It might have taken me a long time, but I am still here. At each burn retreat, I felt nervous, but every time I went, I became a little stronger. The burn community has become my family, my support system.”

Rosa’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the critical role that community plays in the healing process. Thanks to the programs and resources provided by the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, Rosa has transformed her pain into purpose, and her journey continues to inspire others.

We ask for your support today to ensure that burn survivors like Rosa continue to receive the resources and care they need to heal and thrive. Together, we can help more individuals transform their pain into strength, just as Rosa has.

Thank you for your generosity and your commitment to supporting burn survivors. Your contribution makes a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.