Burn Survivors of New England

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

06/08/2026

🧡 Burn Survivor Support Group Reminder 🧡

Join us on Tuesday, June 9th at 6:00 PM for our monthly Burn Survivor Support Group, hosted by burn survivors for burn survivors.

Whether you're newly injured or many years into your recovery journey, this is a welcoming space to connect, share experiences, offer support, and remind one another that no one has to navigate life after burn injury alone.

To access the virtual meeting link, visit www.bsone.org.

We look forward to seeing you there.

🧡 Burn Survivors of New England 🧡

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

05/31/2026

Rest easy and thank you for all your sacrifice and dedication to a very noble profession. I don’t know your personal but as a burn survivor you are all hero’s and deserve so much respect 💔❤️🙏

HAPPENING TODAY: Family, friends, and fellow firefighters will gather today for the wake of fallen Boston firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr., known to many as “BK.”

05/25/2026

I hope to see many survivors, family and medical professionals attend. This is an opportunity to see just how life can be after a burn injury.

✨ You belong at the Healing Summit ✨

As we continue building toward the Healing Summit 2026, we are proud to offer scholarship opportunities for burn survivors.

This includes the George Pessotti Peer Support Scholarship, created to reflect George’s deep belief in the power of connection — and the importance of paying that support forward within our community.

Whether this would be your first burn gathering or part of your continued journey, we want you there.

We are committed to supporting survivors, especially within our New England community, and helping make this experience accessible.

Limited scholarships are available.

🗓 Apply by May 1, 2026

Learn more and apply — https://bsone.org/scholarships/george-pessotti-peer-support-scholarship/.

For questions: [email protected]