Burn Survivors of New England

09/29/2026

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to lead Beyond the Burn: Connection & Awareness, an in-service for the burn care team at Mass General Brigham, Ellison 14, on behalf of Burn Survivors of New England.

This was a conversation I hoped to bring to the burn unit because I believe the connection between clinical care and the local burn survivor community should begin before someone needs it not years after leaving the hospital.

I shared the perspective of our President, Gina Russo, through an interview I conducted with her. Her words brought something to the room I never could on my own: the lived experience of not always being ready for peer support and eventually discovering the power of the burn survivor community.

Burn survivor Mylene Larsen joined me, bringing another voice to the conversation. We also shared our film, Here After: More Than Survival, which led to discussion about potentially making it available to survivors & families before discharge.

One idea stood out most: ONE INTRODUCTION. TWO AUDIENCES.
The burn survivor may not be ready to meet us. But their family or loved ones may be.

That is why information about the burn survivor community should be PROVIDED, NOT PUSHED.

We talked about survivors who went 10, even 20 years without knowing BSONE existed—and wondered how finding this community earlier might have changed their recovery.

I also left with another goal: this connection has to be sustainable.

Burn care teams and roles change. Regular in-services, a consistent hospital contact, and a process for transferring that relationship could help ensure BSONE doesn't have to continually be reintroduced, but becomes an established resource for survivors and families through hospitalization, discharge and beyond.

Later that evening, our quarterly In-Person Group Peer Support Meeting at Spaulding welcomed new and familiar faces for Strength in Words. We explored the words we give ourselves, words others give us, and words we choose to carry forward. Watching those words transform throughout our time together was incredibly moving.

Connection doesn't end at discharge. Our job is to make sure people know the community is there when they are ready.

09/14/2026

There is strength in the words we carry.

Join us Monday, September 28 for our next In-Person Burn Support Group at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown.

This month, Pamela Caira and burn survivor Mike Patterson will co-host an evening centered around our theme, Strength in Words.

Pamela brings a background in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University, and Mike brings his lived experience as a burn survivor. Both share a love of reading and writing and believe words can carry incredible power — they can encourage us, connect us, stay with us and sometimes carry more weight than we realize.

We have a few fun and optional activities planned, but there is no pressure to participate. Come to talk, listen, connect, have some refreshments and spend time together.

We’ll also open the conversation to you. What would you like to see from BSONE in the future? Your thoughts and ideas help us create programming that reflects what our community actually needs.

And remember — our support groups aren't only for burn survivors. Caregivers, family, friends and members of our community are welcome.

📅 Monday, September 28
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown
🚗 Parking will be validated
No registration required. In person only.

We are grateful for our continued relationship with Spaulding and would love to fill the room with new and familiar faces.

09/08/2026

Just a reminder that our Virtual Burn Support Group meets Tonight Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00 PM.

Whether you're a burn survivor, family member, or caregiver, you're welcome to join us in a safe, supportive space where you can connect with others who truly understand the burn recovery journey. Share your experiences, ask questions, or simply listen—participate as much or as little as you'd like.

🗓 Tuesday, September 8
🕕 6:00 PM (We recommend logging in 10 minutes early.)

The meeting link can be found on our website at www.bsone.org.

We look forward to seeing you there. You never have to navigate this journey alone.

Email from Burn Survivors of New England BSONE Hosted by survivors, for survivors! Dear Burn Survivor Community, We look forward to connecting with you at our next Virtual Burn Support Group on Tu

08/18/2026

THRIVING BEYOND SURVIVAL

On behalf of Gina Russo and me, thank you to everyone who joined us for the Thriving Beyond Survival Burn Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon on Saturday, August 15, at the Westin Waltham Boston Hotel.

This may not have been the Healing Summit we originally envisioned, but as we looked around the room on Saturday, it became clear that something important was taking shape. We believe this gathering helped lay the groundwork for what is possible for our New England burn survivor community — and beyond.

There was something incredibly meaningful about seeing longtime survivors who are thriving connect with survivors who are newer to this journey. To see conversations happening, relationships forming, families connecting, and those just beginning to navigate life after burn injury surrounded by people who truly understand — this is why community matters.

To our burn survivors, caregivers, families and loved ones: thank you for showing up, sharing your stories, supporting one another and continuing to remind us that no one has to walk this journey alone.

Our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsor, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, for believing in this community and helping make this day possible.

Thank you to our incredible presenters, Justina R. Page and James Page Jr., Dr. Alice Schruba and Dr. Sunia Choudhury, for sharing your stories, knowledge, vulnerability and expertise with us.

We were also honored to present the Peer Support Champion Award to Linda Palmer, recognizing her commitment to becoming a certified SOAR Peer Supporter and offering hope, healing and heartfelt support to others.

Our gratitude extends to the healthcare professionals and institutions who generously shared their time and expertise as members of our original Healing Summit planning committee and continued to support the vision as it evolved into this luncheon: Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Shriners Children’s Boston. Your partnership and continued commitment to the burn survivor community mean so much.

Thank you to our community partners, our wonderful volunteers, our Board of Directors, and BSONE co-founders George Pessotti and David Vogel, whose vision helped create the community we continue to build today.

And thank you to the team at the Westin Waltham Boston Hotel for helping us welcome our community with such care.

A short video could never fully capture what happened in that room — the conversations, laughter, emotion, reunions, new connections and quiet moments of understanding. But we hope it offers a glimpse.

Saturday reminded us that thriving beyond survival doesn’t happen alone. It happens through connection, support, shared experience and community.

We are grateful for where we’ve been, inspired by what we witnessed on Saturday, and incredibly hopeful about what comes next.

This is only the beginning.

— Pamela Caira, CEO
on behalf of Gina Russo, President, and the Burn Survivors of New England Board of Directors

08/11/2026

Just a reminder that our Virtual Burn Support Group meets Tonight Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 PM.

Whether you're a burn survivor, family member, or caregiver, you're welcome to join us in a safe, supportive space where you can connect with others who truly understand the burn recovery journey. Share your experiences, ask questions, or simply listen—participate as much or as little as you'd like.

🗓 Tuesday, August 11
🕕 6:00 PM (We recommend logging in 10 minutes early.)

The meeting link can be found on our website at www.bsone.org.

We look forward to seeing you there. You never have to navigate this journey alone.

Email from Burn Survivors of New England BSONE Hosted by survivors, for survivors! Dear Burn Survivor Community, We look forward to connecting with you at our next Virtual Burn Support Group on Tu

07/28/2026

🧡 Why We Gather 🧡

Every burn survivor's journey is different, but none of us should have to walk it alone.

We gather because healing is about more than medical care. It is about finding connection, understanding, and hope among people who truly understand the challenges and triumphs of life after a burn injury.

We gather to reconnect with friends who have become family.

We gather to support caregivers, who are an essential part of the healing journey.

We gather to learn from experts who provide practical tools for living well beyond survival.

Most importantly, we gather to remind one another that while every story is unique, no one has to face it alone. 🧡

07/23/2026

Meet Our Wellness Presenters

Burn recovery extends far beyond the initial injury. Emotional healing, resilience, and support are essential parts of the journey.

Burn Survivors of New England is pleased to welcome Dr. Alice Schruba and Dr. Sunia Choudhury as presenters at our Thriving Beyond Survival: A Burn Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon.

Drawing from their expertise in rehabilitation psychology, they will introduce practical strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—approaches that can help individuals and families navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and confidence.

Whether you are a burn survivor, caregiver, family member, healthcare professional, or someone who supports the burn community, we invite you to join us for this meaningful afternoon of education, connection, and hope.

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026
🕛 12:00–4:00 PM
📍 The Westin Waltham Boston

🎟️ Register today: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/thriving-beyond-survival-a-burn-survivor-and-caregiver-luncheon

We look forward to welcoming you.

07/21/2026

Meet Our Keynote Speaker | Dr. Scott A. Allen

Sometimes the experiences that change our lives become the inspiration for changing the lives of others.

For Dr. Scott A. Allen, that story began as a child when he survived burns over 30% of his body and received care at Shriners Hospital for Children Boston. That experience inspired a lifetime dedicated to healing, compassion, and service.

Today, Dr. Allen is an internationally respected physician, humanitarian, and advocate whose work has improved the lives of vulnerable populations around the world.

We are honored to welcome him as the keynote speaker for Thriving Beyond Survival: A Burn Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon on Saturday, August 15.

His message is one of resilience, purpose, and hope—one that speaks directly to survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and everyone who believes in the power of community.

🎟️ Registration is now open, but seats are limited and registration will be closing soon. Reserve your seat today!

📍 Westin Waltham Boston
📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026

Register here:
https://bsone.org/events/2026-luncheon/

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post.

07/13/2026

Just a reminder that our Virtual Burn Support Group meets Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 PM.

Whether you're a burn survivor, family member, or caregiver, you're welcome to join us in a safe, supportive space where you can connect with others who truly understand the burn recovery journey. Share your experiences, ask questions, or simply listen—participate as much or as little as you'd like.

🗓 Tuesday, July 14
🕕 6:00 PM (We recommend logging in 10 minutes early.)

The meeting link can be found on our website at www.bsone.org.

We look forward to seeing you there. You never have to navigate this journey alone.

Email from Burn Survivors of New England BSONE Hosted by survivors, for survivors! Dear Burn Survivor Community, We look forward to connecting with you at our next Virtual Burn Support Group on Tu

06/30/2026

✨ You're Invited ✨

We're excited to introduce Thriving Beyond Survival, a Burn Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon hosted by Burn Survivors of New England.

Join us for an afternoon of connection, inspiration, wellness, and hope as we bring our burn community together.

We're honored to welcome keynote speaker Dr. Scott Allen, along with a special Wellness Presentation by Dr. Alice Schruba and Dr. Sunia Choudhury.

🧡 Burn survivors and one caregiver attend complimentary (advance reservations are required).

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026
🕛 12:00–4:00 PM
📍 The Westin Waltham Boston

Community members, healthcare professionals, first responders, family, and friends are all warmly invited.

Reserve your seat here:
https://bsone.org/events/2026-luncheon/

We can't wait to see you there!

Email from Burn Survivors of New England BSONE A new Burn Survivor & Caregiver Luncheon featuring Dr. Scott A Allen. Registration is now open! You're Invited Dear Friends, Over the past several mo