$500,000 Grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Marks Largest Single Gift In Arizona Burn Foundation’s History.

PHOENIX, AZ. (April 16, 2014) – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded the Arizona Burn Foundation (ABF) $500,000, the single largest gift in the organization’s 47 year history, towards its $5 million strategic growth campaign. The grant will enable the non-profit, which is the only organization of its kind in Arizona dedicated to the emotional and financial recovery of burn survivors, to achieve their strategic goals through the expansion of prevention and outreach programs.

“Even in the best of circumstances, burn care resources are limited”, said Dr. Kevin Foster, Vice Chairman for Education and Research and Chief of Burn Services for The Arizona Burn Center. “The need for funds to provide prevention services and education can’t be underestimated.”

“Arizona Burn Foundation has a long history of doing great work in our community – supporting the emotional and long-term needs of burn survivors and beating the streets to help prevent burn-related injuries,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Through our partnership I believe we will help raise critical awareness, dramatically decreasing the number of preventable incidents in the greater Phoenix area.”

Data from the National Fire Protection Association shows that 1,141,250 fires occurred in residential structures in 2012, accounting for 83 percent of all structure fires and resulting in 2,855 civilian deaths. Homes with no or disarmed smoke alarms caused 60 percent of home fire deaths.

Scald burn-related deaths and injuries among children ages 14 and under, another critical health and safety issue, cost $44 million annually. Injuries to children four and under account for more than 90 percent of these costs.

The Arizona Burn Foundation plans to build a new Foundation Center in Phoenix to support the infrastructure and organizational requirements of the rapidly expanding program. The new facility will provide a much needed home-base for volunteer training, including training for smoke alarm installers and burn camp counselors. The gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation was pivotal in allowing ABF to begin construction on the new facility.

“The board and staff are truly grateful for this wonderful gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which will help us meet the needs of more families than ever before as they struggle with the tragedy of a severe burn injury,” said AZ Burn Foundation CEO Mike Merucci.

About Arizona Burn Foundation
The Arizona Burn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist those experiencing burn injury through comprehensive support, prevention, community outreach, education and research.  ABF was established in 1967 and for 47 years has been the only agency in Arizona dedicated to the emotional and financial recovery of burn survivors of all ages, as well as providing prevention education to keep burn injuries from happening in the first place.

ABF fulfills its mission through programs and services that promote personal development, build self-esteem, offer financial assistance and teach home safety to children and adults. For more information about the Arizona Burn Foundation, visit www.azburn.org.