Written on December 20, 2021
The Breslau Society recognizes and celebrates those who have included Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors in their wills or estate plans. The Breslau Society is named for our founder, Alan Breslau, honoring a life dedicated to uniting the voice of the burn community.
We sat down with Andy Lee to hear what inspired him to support the organization with a planned gift.
After a 30-day induced coma, I woke up in a burn unit 800 miles away from home. I feel grateful that my recovery journey began at LeHigh Valley Hospital, an early Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) hospital. While in the hospital, I was visited by another burn survivor pilot who shared the same surgeon. The biggest thing that people don’t realize, is how much hope a previous burn survivor can provide. I was lucky to be surrounded by a support system of family, my healthcare team, and peer support that changed the course of my healing. Thanks to the continued follow-up from the LeHigh Valley staff, I attended my first Phoenix World Burn Congress three years after my injury, and I’ve now attended for 13 years. I remember the first time sharing my story and everyone who inspired me along the way. Attending Phoenix WBC each year has kept me motivated. It renews my sense of purpose and my relationships in the community.
I hope we can continue to break down the obstacles and barriers to providing long-term follow-up and care for patients. When you’re first released from the hospital you often aren’t ready to take in the information. It’s the continued follow-up that makes a difference in getting patients connected to resources sooner. We need to be a continued resource and sounding board for survivors. Survivors often just need someone to talk to and someone who will listen. We need to be encouraged to be our own advocate in the journey. I had a lot of support in my journey, and I want to help ensure others also have access to a supportive community. I hope that Phoenix Society can be there for future survivors.
The efficiency in use of funds, knowing the impact it has on survivors' lives, and the inspiration from all the staff and volunteers who are dedicated to this mission. It’s never been about leaving a personal legacy for me but more about fulfilling the purpose that God intended for me. It’s a way for me to let people in my life know what Phoenix Society meant to me in my living years.
The incredible generosity and compassion of donors like Andy is critical to ensuring Phoenix Society’s sustainable life-changing impact. A planned gift of any size will help you leave a lasting legacy to improve the lives of burn survivors for years to come.
To learn more about ways you can support Phoenix Society with a planned gift, click here.