Grand Rapids, will welcome burn survivors from around the world for the 30thAnnual Phoenix World Burn Congress from September 12-15
Amy Acton, Burn Survivor and Executive Director of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors joins Jeffrey Mosher on this segment of Michigan Business Beat to talk about her story and this year’s 30th Annual Phoenix World Burn Congress.
Phoenix Society, headquartered in Grand Rapids, is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to long-term healing and empowerment for burn survivors.They are also hosting their annual Phoenix World Burn Congress, the world's largest gathering of the burn community, in Grand Rapids this year from September 12-15.
Amy discusses the importance of local businesses taking part in sensitivity training ahead of the conference and their overall mission. “Uniting the voice of the burn community around the globe to profoundly advance lifelong healing, optimal recovery, and burn prevention.” - www.phoenix-society.org
To hear Amy and Jeffrey's conversation please click on the embedded SoundCloud PodCast share below.
The conference will take place at the Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave, and the DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave NW, bringing together burn survivors, their families, medical professionals, and first responders to share stories, provide support, and increase knowledge of burn recovery.
This year’s conference will feature powerful keynote speeches from burn survivors and those who have overcome difficult life challenges. Dennis J. Gardin, a burn survivor who received burn injuries over 70% of his body in a gasoline explosion as a child, will deliver his “It Takes a Village” (The Journey from Victim to Survivor)speech that focuses on fulfilling life after the burn. Samoana Matagi, who suffered an electrocution burn, causing his hands to be amputated, will be talking about how he regained his identity after multiple failures in his “Fear of Failure Conquered a Secret Force Inside All of Us, Resilience!” speech.
“Phoenix World Burn Congress is an opportunity for burn survivors and their families to connect, heal and unite with those who are on a similar journey,” said Amy Acton, a burn survivor and Executive Director of the Phoenix Society. “There is nothing more inspiring than seeing people from across the world come together to support one another.”
Every year, more than 486,000 burn injuries receive medical treatment in the U.S. Because of medical advances, more than 96% of those treated in a burn center will survive (American Burn Association). Knowing that survival is not enough, and that there is now a larger demand for long-term recovery resources, Phoenix Society is committed to providing a community that supports lifelong healing for burn survivors.
To mark the beginning of this year’s Phoenix World Burn Congress, event attendees, local firefighters, burn care professionals and Grand Rapids community members will gather for a Walk of Remembrance, an annual tradition honoring those lost to burn injuries and the impact on communities, on Thursday, September 13that 8:30a.m. This year’s walk will end at Grand Rapids’ Ah-Nab-Awen Park, where there will then be an Opening Celebration.
“The Walk of Remembrance is an inspiring event that helps raise awareness about burns, which are a leading cause of accidental death and injury,” said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA, Phoenix Board President. “It is important to remember and honor those who we have lost, and to thank those who are dedicated to helping burn survivors heal.”
In addition to the Phoenix World Burn Congress, the Phoenix Society has a variety of different programs throughout the country that assist burn survivors in every stage of recovery. The Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) program provides peer support for burn survivors, ensuring no one recovers alone. The program is currently in over 64 hospitals across North America, giving 12,800 patients access to local support.
The Grand Rapids community can take part in extending a warm welcome to conference attendees by viewing Phoenix Society’s 20-minute presentation, Phoenix World Burn Congress Sensitivity Training. The presentation is designed to introduce the general public to the burn survivor community. It is vital that business owners and hotel and restaurant staffs equip themselves with the knowledge needed to ensure those attending the Phoenix World Burn Congress feel welcome and embraced in the Grand Rapids community.
New this year, those who are unable to attend or travel to Grand Rapids for the Phoenix World Burn Congress have the option to attend the conference virtually. The virtual experience can be live streamed to a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Registrations for the Phoenix World Burn Congress, which includes two breakfasts, two lunches and Saturday evening’s Closing Celebration, can be completed here. Attendees who register before August 15 will save $100. Those interested in volunteering at the conference can sign up here. 
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About Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors In the U.S., 40,000 people are hospitalized with burn injuries each year. Burn survivors and their loved ones face a lifelong journey of physical, emotional, and social recovery. Connecting with others who have walked a similar path is essential to optimal recovery and social reintegration. Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national non-profit dedicated to empowering burn survivors and their families at all points of recovery. Since 1977, Phoenix Society has worked with survivors, families, healthcare professionals, and first responders to support burn recovery, improve the quality of burn care, and prevent burn injuries. For more information, visit www.phoenix-society.org.
