Be a Part of Something Bigger This Giving Tuesday

It’s #GivingTuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. In honor of Giving Tuesday, we want to highlight a few of the ways you can give back to Phoenix Society and burn community. We hope today’s podcast inspires you to find a way to give back that is meaningful to you.

Ways to Give Back

• Double Your Impact & Become a Monthly Donor: By joining our monthly giving club today, your donations will be MATCHED dollar for dollar! Monthly gifts are especially meaningful because they ensure that Phoenix Society has the resources we need to reach survivors, caretakers, and healthcare partners - no matter where they are - all year round. Please visit https://give.phoenix-society.org/match23 to make a gift!
• Join Team Phoenix: Whether you’re running your first 5k or training for a triathlon, fuel your cause by making every mile count for the burn community. Learn more by visiting https://www.phoenix-society.org/ways-to-give/team-phoenix. 
• Become a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter: Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) connects burn survivors and loved ones to a community of peer supporters who share similar experiences. Learn more by visiting https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar or emailing phoenixsoar@phoenix-society.org. 

Meet Our Guests

Robert Duval has been the Fire Investigator for the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), which is based in Quincy, Massachusetts, since 1997.  Robert is responsible for conducting investigations of technically significant incidents in order to gather, “Lessons Learned” from each incident to apply those lessons to improving NFPA codes and standards. The investigation of these incidents includes documenting the emergency services response, the structure(s) involved as well as the events leading up to and following the incident. 

Robert was named the New England Regional Manager for NFPA in 2003. His region recently expanded to include NY and NJ and is now referred to as the Northeast Region. As Regional Director, Robert is responsible for outreach within the northeast states regarding code adoptions, and training. He also serves as a point of contact for stakeholders in the NFPA process; including the fire service, engineering and safety professionals.

Tony Gonzalez was burned on 95% of his body in February 1997. The accident was caused by a propane gas explosion at a friend’s vacation cabin in Wisconsin. Tony spent the next nine months in the ICU before spending another two months in rehab before returning home to the Chicago area. He had over 80 surgeries total and thanks his strong, close knit family for their endless support and guidance throughout his recovery.

In 1998, Tony met the founder of Phoenix Society, Alan, and his wife, Delwyn during a peer support visit at Loyola Medical Center. He went on to attend Phoenix World Burn Congress one year later and was trained as a Peer Supporter in the pilot program of Phoenix SOAR in 2001. Since then, Tony has been actively involved with Phoenix Society and the burn survivor community. Tony currently serves on Phoenix Society’s Board of Directors and gives back to the organization in many ways, including his philanthropic support. 

Shelby Mitchell currently resides in Wisconsin. She has a Goldendoodle named Josie who is her sidekick and goes everywhere that she can with Shelby. Shelby was burned in 2022 and has been involved with Phoenix Society since meeting a Peer Supporter while recovering in the hospital. Shelby recently completed the Phoenix SOAR training and has been a volunteer since September. 

Podcast Sponsor

Today’s podcast is powered by YOU! As a nonprofit, we do rely on the support from our donors, volunteers, supporters, and advocates. We couldn’t do it without you and we sincerely thank you for all that you do for our community. 

Sponsor Girls with Grafts 

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org. 

Enjoyed the show? Tell us on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!