RISING STRONGER TOGETHER

In January 2020, 10-year-old Isabella McCune received a call from her burn surgeon asking if she would be interested in joining a group of survivors to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Without hesitation (or running the idea past her parents), Isabella said yes to the adventure of a lifetime. 

Two years prior, Isabella and her family were gearing up for a St. Patrick's Day neighborhood party. What was supposed to be a day filled with green-themed festivities ended in an ambulance ride to the emergency room. Both Isabella and her father were injured when a gas can exploded. They were sent to the hospital, where Isabella would spend the next nine months. 

Isabella's burn injury was severe. She suffered third-degree burns on 65% of her body, and what skin was untouched would need to be used for skin grafting. Dr. Kevin Foster, head of the Arizona Burn Center - Valleywise Health in Phoenix, AZ, knew Isabella and her family would have a long road to recovery, but he was determined to help get Isabella back to school, swimming, and following her dreams. He didn't know it then, but just a few years later, he would help Isabella climb the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. 

Courage Rising 

In 2020, a group of medical professionals, burn survivors, and donors from the Valleywise Health Foundation formed the Courage Rising team. They joined K2 Adventure Travel and set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro later that year. Their goal was to show survivors that anything is possible after a burn injury, as well as raise funds and awareness for the new Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health.

Isabella joined a group of eight survivors, including Christin LIpinski, a necrotizing fasciitis survivor. Christin and Isabella were treated at the same time at the Arizona Burn Center and grew incredibly close during their stays. Even after Christin was released from the hospital, she returned many times to visit Isabella and give encouragement and support to keep fighting.

After the Courage Rising group was established, they began training by hiking nearby trails and canyons and preparing for their trip overseas. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the trip was postponed multiple times.

"I was definitely upset about it being postponed,” Isabella said. “I was really excited, and we would have been in Africa for my birthday. Then there was also a point where I was like, 'are we ever going to be able to go?' Finally, we got the date for this year, and the trip was confirmed!"

Although the Courage Rising group was initially disappointed by the trip’s postponement, the delay gave them extra time to learn about one another and build friendships before they set out to Africa. Over the next two years, the group completed 42 hikes together throughout Arizona, including the Grand Canyon. During training, Isabella continued to recover physically from her injury and had multiple laser surgeries, making it challenging at times to complete the local group hikes.

"This was my first time away from my parents and leaving the country,” Isabella said, “so I was definitely nervous, but I wasn't scared. I was the same amount nervous and excited.”

As the group began hiking up the mountain, they faced challenges along the way. On days three and four, Isabella was sick in the morning and felt nauseated throughout the day. Additionally, Isabella has Type 1 Diabetes which she had to monitor closely due to the changing elevation of the mountain.

As they got closer and closer to the top, Isabella also had to be careful with sunburn and monitor her sweating. Due to her burns, she primarily sweats on her hands and face, which were both open to the cold and dry air. On the morning of the day they’d reach the summit, Isabella wasn't sure if she would be able to make it up to the top and then back down past the camp they were currently staying at. However, her physical therapist—who was along on the trip—encouraged Isabella to believe in herself and find the strength inside to push ahead.

Although the climb is now complete, Isabella and the Courage Rising team continue to gather as friends and look back on their shared accomplishment on Mount Kilimanjaro.

"My favorite part of the climb was being with other burn survivors and staff from the hospital,” said Isabella. “The burn survivors are such a great support system, and with us making this trip together, we all had each other's backs, and we were each other's helping hands. It was really special to be able to do it with them and also with the hospital staff because they are the reason I get to be here today. The staff are the reason I got to that mountain, and they are who I get to raise funds for and hopefully work with someday."

As Isabella enters 8th grade this fall, she is determined to continue raising awareness for the foundation and hospital, with hopes of one day working as a burn nurse in the hospital where she was treated. Her goal is to use her experience and story to help other survivors.

Know you're not alone. An amazing group and support system is willing to help and support you. Never feel any less than what you are." - Isabella

To date, the Courage Rising Team has raised more than $350,000 with the help of hundreds of donors, including Phoenix Partner Integra LifeSciences, to support the new Arizona Burn Center, which is planned to open in October 2023. Funds raised will also support family programming, hydrotherapy and hyperbaric therapy, physical and occupational wellness programs, burn research, equipment for the new pediatric wing, and more services offered at Valleywise Health. For more information, visit www.valleywisehealthfoundation.org/courage-rising.