Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

08/24/2026

What does it mean to find your voice after trauma? 🎸 In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with burn survivor, author, speaker, podcast host, and Trauma Rock Stars™ founder Tracy Smaldino. Trauma Rock Stars

Tracy shares her journey as the sole survivor of a fatal car accident that left her with severe burns as a child, and how she carried her trauma in silence for years before beginning to lean into healing. Together, they talk about the lasting impact of trauma, navigating challenges like summer heat as a burn survivor, and finding the courage to share your story when the time feels right.

Tracy also shares how meditation, music, and her years in the music industry inspired Trauma Rock Stars™ and her belief that trauma does not define us—and there’s a Rock Star inside every survivor. 🎵

Listen on Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04tN9tC0
Listen on Spotify ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04tK4ZG0
Watch on YouTube ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04tMjhB0

08/23/2026

Our next Special Topic Virtual Support Group is happening TOMORROW. 💙

Join us on Monday, August 24, for Beyond the Scars: Healing Through Shared Experiences and Active Living with guest speaker Jane Fayer.

Together, we’ll explore how peer support, shared experiences, meaningful relationships, and movement can help reduce isolation, build resilience, support emotional well-being, and encourage healing beyond the physical scars of a burn injury. 💪

Learn more and join us: https://hubs.ly/Q04sjXT30

08/22/2026

This month, we’re proud to recognize Amber Wilcox as our Volunteer of the Month! 🌟

After surviving a life-changing burn injury in 2020, Amber found connection, support, and hope through Phoenix Society. That experience inspired her to give back.

While on Phoenix Society’s marketing team, Amber co-created Girls with Grafts alongside Rachel Kudlak, helping build a space for honest conversations and shared experiences across the burn community. 🎙️ Even after her role on the team ended, she chose to continue volunteering as a co-host. Nine seasons—and two pregnancies—later, Amber is still helping survivors, caregivers, and others feel seen and less alone!

“Volunteering with Girls with Grafts is my way of giving back to the community that gave so much to me. My hope is that every episode helps someone feel seen, understood, and a little less alone while reminding them that healing looks different for everyone.”

We’re so grateful for Amber’s continued commitment, heart, and vulnerability! 🩷

08/21/2026

A hole-in-one. A golf ball launcher sending shots 400+ yards down the fairway. And plenty of friendly competition. ⛳ This year’s Burn Awareness Golf Outing gave us a lot to celebrate!

A special congratulations to our winning foursome: Francis Resurreccion, Clark Lewis, Tyson Malak, and Jack VanLaningham — and to the golfer who landed a hole-in-one and took home a year’s supply of Omaha Steaks. 👏

Thanks to everyone who helped make the day so much fun. We’re already looking forward to the next one!

08/20/2026

Wildfires can affect us in more ways than one. For burn survivors and their loved ones, smoke, evacuation alerts, news coverage, and images of fires can bring up fear, stress, anxiety, or memories connected to a past burn injury — even when the wildfire is happening far away. 💛

With wildfires affecting communities everywhere, we want to share our "Coping with Wildfires" resource again. It gives practical tips for taking care of your emotional health, staying calm when tough feelings or memories come up, getting ready for a possible evacuation, dealing with smoke, and finding support when you need it.

Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04ty5Ld0

Wildfires can bring up stress, anxiety, and trauma for burn survivors. Find tips for managing triggers, smoke exposure, emotional health, and evacuation preparedness.

08/19/2026

Safety is why we show up. 🚒 At Fire-Rescue International 2026, Phoenix Society joined the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs for a 5K honoring the firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line for our communities, while supporting the mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, that commitment to service carries even greater meaning. Together, we can advance fire safety, prevent burn injuries, support survivors, and honor those who dedicate their lives to protecting others. ❤️

08/18/2026

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Tracy Smaldino, a burn survivor, trauma survivor, author, keynote speaker, podcast host, and founder of Trauma Rock Stars™. 🎸

Tracy shares her journey as the sole survivor of a fatal car accident that left her with severe burns as a child, and how she carried her trauma in silence for many years before beginning to lean into healing. Together, Rachel, Amber, and Tracy talk about the lasting impact of trauma, the challenges burn survivors can face with summer heat, and what it means to find your voice when you are finally ready to share your story.

Tracy also shares how meditation, music, and her years in the music industry shaped the creation of Trauma Rock Stars™—a platform that frames healing like a concert, from the sound check to the headliner moment. 🎵 Her message is a powerful reminder that trauma does not define us, and every survivor has a Rock Star inside them.



🔗 Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

08/17/2026

Backpacks are packed, classrooms are reopening, and kids are heading back to school. 🎒 For a child returning after a burn injury, though, the start of a new school year can bring challenges that go beyond a new teacher or schedule.

Questions from classmates, changes in routine, anxiety, and feeling different can all make the transition feel overwhelming. Parents and caregivers can play an important role in helping children feel prepared, supported, and confident.

Our 10 Trauma-Informed Strategies for Your Child offers practical ways to to make the transition back to the classroom a little easier: https://hubs.ly/Q04svVXm0

If you are a caregiver whose child is returning to school after trauma, here are helpful hints to ease the transition. It's important first to understand how traumatized children learn and what new battles they may be experiencing.

08/15/2026

In our latest episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Rebecca Garber, a nurse practitioner at HCA HealthONE Swedish Burn and Reconstructive Center, about her more than 25 years of experience caring for burn survivors. 🩺

Rebecca shares what first drew her to burn care, how her understanding of recovery has evolved over time, and why supporting survivors and families goes far beyond physical healing.

They also talk about Rebecca’s connection to Phoenix Society, the impact of Phoenix SOAR and peer support, and how Phoenix World Burn Congress has shaped the way she thinks about recovery, community, and care. 💛

Listen to the full conversation and hear Rebecca’s perspective on the power of connection throughout burn recovery!

Listen on Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04sGxBT0
Listen on Spotify ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04syPh90
Watch on YouTube ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q04sFJxy0

08/13/2026

Burn recovery doesn’t end when someone leaves the hospital. 💚

Our 2025 State of the Survivor Report shares insights from 497 burn survivors about long-term physical symptoms, emotional well-being, access to support, peer connection, and the issues that matter most to the community.

🔗 Explore the findings and learn how survivor voices can help shape better care and support: https://hubs.ly/Q04rKljV0

Download our complete report about the 2025 current state of the burn survivor.