The Burn Institute

Burn Survivor Support Group for Men
2024-06-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Burn Institute aims to offer many programs for burn survivors. One aspect of our programs is our support groups. Burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to attend group meetings to discuss the triumphs and hardships they may be facing in their life journey. Group is held virtually. Attendees are welcome to join us for one meeting or for all and there is no charge to attend.
Every second Wednesday of the month starting at 6:30 pm.
Update: Meeting are being held via Zoom. Email Carlos (below) for the Zoom meeting link.
For more information, contact:
Carlos Olivares | Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

Women's Burn Survivor Support Group
2024-06-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-18 18:30 - 20:30
The Burn Institute aims to offer many programs for burn survivors. One aspect of our programs is our support groups. Once a month, burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to attend group meetings to discuss the triumphs and hardships they may be facing in their life journey with this group focusing on women. Group is held virtually. Attendees are welcome to join us for one meeting or for all and there is no charge to attend.
Every Third Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 pm. Please contact Carlos to RSVP and for the Zoom link.
For more information, contact:
Carlos Olivares | Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

All In-Person (and Zoom) Burn Survivor Meetings
2024-06-26 18:30 - 20:30 | UCSD Regional Burn Center, 200 W. Arbor Dr. 8th floor conference room, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States
The Burn Institute aims to offer many programs for burn survivors. One aspect of our programs is our support groups. Once a month, burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to attend group meetings to discuss the triumphs and hardships they may be facing in their life journey.
The in-person support meeting is open to ALL burn survivors. It is a regular event (every 4th Wed of the month) and is held at UCSD Burn Center, 8th Floor Conference Room. Parking provided. If anyone is unable to attend in-person, we have the meeting available on Zoom.
Email Carlos (below) to RSVP or for the Zoom meeting link.
For more information, contact:
Carlos Olivares | Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

2024 Fire and Safety Expo & Firefighter Demolition Derby
2024-07-07 11:00 - 18:30 | Del Mar Arena, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA, 92014
The Burn Institute’s 32nd Annual Fire & Safety Expo and Firefighter Demolition Derby will take place Sunday, July 7, 2024 during the San Diego County Fair. This highly anticipated annual event includes firefighting and safety demonstrations, a fire-and-burn-prevention pavilion, and of course, the Firefighter Demolition Derby. Tickets may be purchased at the SD Fair’s website for July 7 to attend this event.
Schedule of Free Events
11:00 am – 12:30 pm Free CPR training, safety education, activities for the kids, derby car viewing— Visit teams in the pits
1:00 pm Burn Run Fire Truck Parade & Opening Ceremonies
2:00 pm Firefighter Demolition Derby— Preliminary Heats
4:45 p.m. Last Chance Qualifier Demo Derby Heats
5:00 p.m. Introducing the Derby Finalists
5:30 p.m. Final Heat of the Demolition Derby
The Demo Derby is by far the Burn Institute’s most popular event among the fire service! Fire departments from across San Diego County modify clunkers to smash head to head with fellow departments. The event consists of three initial heats, two last-chance qualifying heats and then a final round where the last car standing is crowned the champ! In addition to building their cars, each team raises money for the Burn Institute through car sponsorship, raising upwards of $80,000 each year.
Interested in entering a car in the derby? For more information on how to get started, contact Tiffany at twong@burninstitute.org or call 858-541-2277.
Want to become an event sponsor? Contact Edward at ewilensky@burninstitute.org or call 858-541-2277.

Thank you to our 2024 Derby Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor

Major Sponsors

Participating Sponsor

Additional Sponsors

2024 Chiefs’ Golf Classic
2024-09-30 11:00 - 19:00 | Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, San Diego, CA, 92128
The San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association will raise funds for the fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support programs of the Burn Institute. The Chiefs’ Golf Classic will take place on Monday, September 30th at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course and is sure to be a great day of golf with fire chiefs, as well as corporate and community leaders.
Check in: 10:30am-12pm
Shotgun Start: 12:30pm
Banquet Dinner: 5:30pm
Cash and Credit accepted for player packs, opportunity drawing tickets, course contests, and donations.
View Sponsorship Opportunities here
To make a donation or become a sponsor, please visit our campaign page here
Please contact us at ewilensky@burninstitute.org or call 858-541-2277 with questions

Burn Institute Bash
2024-10-20 13:00 - 15:30 | Belly Up Tavern, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA, 92075, United States
You are invited to the Burn Institute Bash on Sunday, October 20 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach! Join us as we celebrate a great year with live music from San Diego’s The Mothmen, a silent auction, appetizers and drinks, WINE PULL, and more. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
Tickets on sale now!
Silent Auction Coming Soon!
Sunday, October 20, 2024
1:00-3:30pm
Belly Up Tavern
143 S Cedros Ave
Solana Beach CA, 92075
Tickets: $125 individual, $200 Couple, $75 active fire service
Guests must be 21+ to attend
Want to be a Bash Sponsor? Email Edward at ewilensky@burninstitute.org

Burn Survivor Family Halloween Party
2024-10-26 11:00 - 13:00
Join us at the Firehouse Museum on Saturday, October 26 from 11am-1pm for a ghouly good time! We will have arts and crafts, games, and of course some good trick-o-treating fun for the whole family. Costumes encouraged!
This event is now at capacity.
Contact Jeaninne at jpeabody@burninstitute.org or 858-541-2277, with questions!
Limited parking will be available. You can also take the Green or Blue Line trolly to the County Center/Little Italy Station!

San Diego Holiday Party
2024-12-07 11:00 - 13:00 | San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Station 45, 9366 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA, 92108, United States
Celebrate the season with us!

The Burn Institute and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department are thrilled to bring holiday cheer to our amazing burn survivor community and their families! Join us for an afternoon brimming with joy, laughter, and festive fun. Create keepsakes with holiday crafts, get your face painted in merry designs, and meet Santa himself!And no holiday party is complete without delicious food – our friends at San Diego Fire-Rescue will be firing up the grill for a BBQ lunch everyone will enjoy.

This event is open to local burn survivors and their immediate family members. Register by November 29 to secure your spot!

Date: December 7, 11 AM – 1 PM
Location: San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Station 45, 9366 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Questions? Reach out to Jeaninne at 858-541-2277 or jpeabody@burninstitute.org.

Don’t miss this heartwarming holiday celebration—come make memories and feel the spirit of community!

Burn Survivor Support Group for Men
2025-01-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-02-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-11 18:30 - 20:30
The Burn Institute aims to offer many programs for burn survivors. One aspect of our programs is our support groups. Burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to attend group meetings to discuss the triumphs and hardships they may be facing in their life journey. Group is held virtually. Attendees are welcome to join us for one meeting or for all and there is no charge to attend.
Every second Wednesday of the month starting at 6:30 pm.
Update: Meeting are being held via Zoom. Email Whitney (below) for the Zoom meeting link.
For more information, contact:
Whitney Cartwright | Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

Women's Burn Survivor Support Group
2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-17 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-19 18:30 - 20:30
The Burn Institute offers many programs for burn survivors including support groups. Once a month, burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to discuss the triumphs and challenges they may be facing in their life journey. Attendees are welcome to join for one or all. No charge to attend.
Every Third Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 pm. Please contact Whitney to RSVP.
For more information, contact:
Whitney Cartwright
Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

All In-Person (and Zoom) Burn Survivor Meetings
2025-01-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-02-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-28 18:30 - 20:30 | UCSD Regional Burn Center, 200 W. Arbor Dr. 8th floor conference room, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States
The Burn Institute aims to offer many programs for burn survivors. One aspect of our programs is our support groups. Once a month, burn survivors and their caregivers are invited to attend group meetings to discuss the triumphs and hardships they may be facing in their life journey.
The in-person support meeting is open to ALL burn survivors. It is a regular event (every 4th Wed of the month) and is held at UCSD Burn Center, 8th Floor Conference Room. Parking provided. If anyone is unable to attend in-person, we have the meeting available on Zoom.
Email Whitney (below) to RSVP or for the Zoom meeting link.
For more information, contact:
Whitney Cartwright | Director of Burn Survivor Services
Email | (858) 541-2277 ext. 119

Firefighter Boot Drive
2025-03-05
Celebrating 26 Years! Each year, uniformed firefighters collect donations in their boots during our morning and evening commutes. Motorists fill those boots with their spare change – $1, $5, $20 – or more!
It’s easy to give. The banners also have QR codes for contactless payment as a way to give.
Proceeds benefit the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education programs, and burn survivor support programs (like “Camp Beyond the Scars” for burn-injured children 8–17 years old.) Our wonderful camp provides a joyful place for young burn survivors to share and thrive in a supportive environment.
Contact us for more information
All the funds stay in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Check out our Boot Drive Locations

50th Annual Spirit of Courage Awards
2025-05-01 17:30 - 20:30 | Julep Venue, 1735 Hancock St., San Diego, 92101, United States
For 50 years, the Burn Institute has recognized local heroes – those who have risked their lives in an effort to save others.
First responders, community leaders, and supporters gather to honor them in an inspiring evening.
Questions, please contact Tiffany at twong@burninstitute.org or (858) 541-2277.
Tickets (and sponsor options) HERE!
PRESENTED BY…

Major Sponsor

Recipient Sponsors
