J.R. Martinez Addresses Hundreds, Accepts Award at Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress

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Burn survivor and celebrity J.R. Martinez made room in his busy schedule for an event, organization, and collection of individuals that have impacted his life significantly. Martinez addressed the several hundred attendees of the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress, an annual conference of burn survivors, health care professionals, and others impacted by burn injury.

The Dancing with the Stars winner spoke candidly with the community to which he has such a palpable connection, and was awarded with the Phoenix Society’s inaugural Advocacy award, recognizing his efforts on behalf of the burn community.

A board member of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Martinez recalled his first World Burn Congress event five years after suffering his burn injury.

“I saw a lobby full of a burn survivors, including children and adults,” said J.R. “It actually shocked me a for a moment. Five years after my injury, it allowed me to feel more secure — knowing I wasn’t alone … and that’s what the Phoenix Society does.”

J.R.’s message was simple: every burn survivor has a voice.

“I hope you understand that you have a voice, and that it’s important to speak, and to tell your story,” he said.

Added J.R. to those in attendance: “Know that whether I’m doing motivational speaking, or something in entertainment, acting — whatever I do, I am representing all of you.”

Before leaving to a standing ovation, J.R. also shared some wisdom to those on their personal journey with a burn injury.

“If you try to check-in four bags at the airport, they will tell you that you have to leave some behind because the plane cannot carry such a heavy load,” he said. “You have to leave some luggage behind. If you don’t, the plane will be too heavy and you will never reach your destination.”

Martinez remained in the event’s ballroom after his speech, signing autographs for each attendee.

The Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress is an annual conference involving burn survivors, health care professionals, firefighters, and anyone affected by a burn injury. The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the only national nonprofit that provides the tools and resources to help burn survivors get back to living.

~ Donate Now ~
~ Learn more at phoenix-society.org ~

Young burn survivor meets her hero, J.R. Martinez

In the video, Dancing with the Stars winner J.R. Martinez surprises 7-year old burn survivor Callie Jarmon in an interview with a Dallas TV station. A board member of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, J.R. was advocating on behalf of the Phoenix Society and entire burn community.

Donate to the Phoenix Society, and provide burn survivors like Callie with the tools, resources and community they need to thrive again. Donate now!

Watch J.R. Martinez be an advocate, and follow his lead!

Hello all,

Following JR’s lead … Action steps to become an advocate “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter When you see a Phoenix Society update on your Facebook Newsfeed (or visit our page frequently!), click the blue Reshare link. Also, make sure to join our online community at phoenix-society.org, and share your story on our web site. You can also donate to the Phoenix Society, and help provide the resources and tools burn survivors need to thrive again

I’m excited to announce that on Monday, February 6, J.R. Martinez will be participating in a multi-city satellite media tour, where he will be advocating on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and the burn community!

J.R.’s TV tour (listed below!) will help kick-off National Burn Awareness Week as he continues to use his platform to bring awareness and support to the Phoenix Society and our programs.

We appreciate J.R.’s attention to our cause, and we can help by following his lead and take it one step further. On our Facebook page and Twitter, you will see us posting regular updates from J.R. and other messages.  I ask that you become an advocate of the Phoenix Society next week by clicking the Reshare link beneath each post. This will make your friends and family aware of our efforts and together we will make a difference!

Thank you!

Amy Acton
Executive Director

J.R. Martinez Satellite Media Tour Schedule ….

(Don’t see your city below? Don’t fret! Be sure look for J.R.’s interview and other fun items that we’ll be posting to our Facebook page!)

All times are EST     |     * Check your local listings

7:15 AM	WHAM	ROCHESTER, NY	ABC	LIVE
7:40 AM	WFAA	DALLAS, TX	ABC	LIVE
8:15-8:25	WJXT	JACKSONVILLE, FL	IND	LIVE
8:40 AM	WPMT	HARRISBURG, PA	FOX	LIVE
8:45 AM	WJBK	DETROIT, MI	FOX	LIVE
8:50 AM	KTVI	ST. LOUIS, MO	FOX	LIVE
	WEWS	CLEVELAND, OH	ABC	*
	WSPA	GREENVILLE, SC	CBS	*
9:15 AM	WXIN	INDIANAPOLIS, IN	FOX	LIVE
9:20 AM	WTVR	RICHMOND, VA	CBS	LIVE
9:25 AM	KERO	BAKERSFIELD, CA	ABC	LIVE
9:30 AM	WISH	INDIANAPOLIS, IN	CBS	*
	WNEM	FLINT, MI	CBS	*
9:40 AM	WAGA	ATLANTA, GA	FOX	LIVE
9:45-9:55	KMSP	MINNEAPOLIS, MN	FOX	LIVE
	WAVE	LOUISVILLE, KY	NBC	*
10-10:10 AM	KAZT	PHOENIX, AZ	IND	LIVE
10:10 AM	KTNV	LAS VEGAS, NV	ABC	*
10:15 AM	KTVX	SALT LAKE CITY	ABC	LIVE
10:20-10:30 AM	KSAZ	PHOENIX, AZ	FOX	LIVE
	WBRE	WILKES-BARRE, PA	NBC	*
	KSBI	OKLAHOMA CITY	IND	*
10:40 AM	WLS	CHICAGO, IL	ABC	LIVE
10:45 AM	KVVU	LAS VEGAS, NV	FOX	LIVE
	CNN RADIO	CNN RADIO		*
	KTUL	TULSA, OK	ABC	*
	WLS	CHICAGO, IL	ABC	*

Don’t see your city below? Don’t fret! Be sure look for J.R.’s interview and other fun items that we’ll be posting to our Facebook page!

Vote for J.R. Martinez Tonight on Dancing with the Stars!

J.R. needs your vote TONIGHT! 

The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors board member and burn survivor is a finalist on tonight’s season-finale of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Along with partner Karina Smirnoff, J.R.’s dancing moxie has earned him high praise among a national audience, but his courage and inspiring message has affected millions.

When: Monday at 8|7c

Channel: ABC

How To Vote: Voting begins when the show starts and ends at 9:30 PM! (ET). Call 1-800-868-3410. Or vote online. You can vote up to three times!

Video: Watch J.R. and Jenna pay it forward!

J.R. embodies the message of the Phoenix Society: helping burn survivors everywhere get back to living. He used his platform to share the Phoenix Society’s mission with fellow survivor Jenna Bullen, paying it forward in the hope that others might continue do the same. Tonight and Tuesday Jenna will again be in the DWTS audience representing the Phoenix Society and cheering him on for all us!

Below are some testimonials from those that have been inspired by J.R.’s whirlwind journey.

“I look forward each week to seeing J.R. dance! He’s awesome and exciting to watch! I can’t wait to see him take it all in the final” – Lisa W.

“Way to go JR & Karina! (and burn survivors everywhere) You have made such a difference in raising awareness and sharing with the world the true meaning of the word SURVIVOR! We appreciate you and are cheering you on all the way” – Vickie P.

“(J.R. is) a true hero and inspiration to ALL burn survivors and other wounded warriors.” – Randy C.

“The journey of burns is a courageous one. JR Martinez is courageous as he lives each day with both physical and emotional pain, yet seeks life and hope.” – Susanne G.

“I am so proud of JR Martinez for his courage. In a time where most are judged by their looks, he has proven to all that it is not our looks that define us but what is in the heart and soul. I do not see the flaws but a incredible man . I am so proud of him.” – Betty L.

We look forward to Monday and Tuesday night because the real story is that J.R. will be dancing on the national stage in front of over 20 million people, showing the world that anything is possible and that our dreams and aspirations cannot be stopped by a burn injury – we can thrive again!

I think we can all VOTE for that!

Amy Acton
Executive Director

help burn survivors thrive again: donate now!

phoenix-society.org

Young Adults Meet J.R. Martinez, others from Dancing with the Stars!

On Monday, October 31st, a group of young adults who have benefited from programs offered by the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors joined J.R. Martinez at Dancing With the Stars.

J.R. is representing the burn community every Monday night before a national audience, using this platform to raise awareness for the needs of burn survivors everywhere!

Check out some of the behind-the-scenes photos!

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Did you know that each year 83,000 children are burned and over 6,000 of those injured are treated in specialty burn centers in the U.S.  According to Andrea, one of the young adults pictured above …

“When I returned to my home community, hours from my burn center, I lacked the necessary support and tools to understand and overcome challenges I faced.  The Phoenix Society bridged the gap with support and tools I needed.”

Join the effort to provide programs that assure all children and their families return to school and their communities with support. Don’t wait. . . Donate Today!

Let’s all pay it forward

Where in the world is J.R.? The media outlets below are covering J.R.’s promotion of the Phoenix Society! Get involved by going to each, and sharing your support of our efforts by either Commenting, or resharing via Twitter or Facebook. Thank you!

Hello friends,

Like many of you, I have found myself sitting at home on Monday and Tuesday nights, watching a reality television program. This wasn’t always the case. Those that know me are aware that I take pride in spending time outdoors, appreciating colors change and largely ignoring whatever was flashing across the TV.

Leave it up to Phoenix Society board member J.R. Martinez to change all of that.

Forgetting about his dance moves for a moment (I don’t remember seeing his skills on display at World Burn?), J.R.’s presence before millions on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars resonates with us as he glides across the screen. In recent weeks, his story has been told, and retold, a countless number of times: Ellen, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers and a myriad of others. But he’s also telling our story: one we shared at Open Mic at World Burn Congress, on the pages of Burn Support News, or testified before other survivors at the many SOAR interaction happening nationwide.

The full story is not just about the trauma and tragedy, but the part where we can and do heal with the necessary support and do whatever we put our minds to!

J.R. embodies the message that our community has made possible: helping burn survivors everywhere get back to living.

J.R. is an advocate for our community. Showing the power of peer support and their personal goals on Dr. Drew, he and fellow burn survivor Jenna Bullen made a conscious decision to PAY IT FORWARD and tape the now almost viral public service announcement on behalf of the Phoenix Society — both hoping they would reach others who may benefit from the exposure by finding programs and support available though this community.

There is power in numbers, and although J.R. has opened a door, we are a community of advocates: each of you. Let’s walk through the door and share our collective story.

I would like to issue a call to (social) action to our members: On the right hand side of this page, we’ve supplied links to each media outlet that has promoted the Phoenix Society public service announcement. Please visit the articles and Comment on them with your experience of recovery, renewal and ability to return to life, or share them on your Facebook and/or Twitter pages. Let’s tell the world that the Phoenix Society community is working hard to assure that no one has to go it alone on the road to recovery from a burn injury.

Let’s seize this moment of opportunity provided by J.R., and ensure that it not only lasts, but has a real impact beyond a few week in front of the television. Let’s promote and share our collective story with our friends, family and the world!

I will be in the DWTS audience Monday with my good friend Cindy Rutter to personally shout out to JR that we are all with him and that we will also carry the message of hope and healing.

Best regards,

Amy Acton
Executive Director

J.R. Martinez speaks on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

Dancing with the Stars contestant J.R. Martinez and fellow burn survivor Jenna Bullen helped pay it forward by shooting this PSA on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Get involved with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors by visiting our official site, filled with support and tools burn survivors need to thrive again, along with options to donate.

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors Promoted on EXTRA and ABC.com tonight

A new public service announcement promoting the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors will be part of J.R. Martinez’s story tonight on EXTRA and ABC.com.

J.R. Martinez and fellow burn survivor Jenna Bullen have decided to pay it forward, making a Public Service Announcement on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

After last week’s amazing dance on Dancing with the Stars, J.R. and Jenna Bullen, who was in the audience, shot a Public Service Announcement for the Society.  J.R. Martinez is a burn survivor and a member of the Phoenix Society board of directors and Jenna has attended the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress in the past.

The PSA was developed when Martinez met Jenna Bullen, a burn survivor on Dr. Drew’s Lifchangers show (to be aired Oct 18th). Inspired by her story, they decided to pay it forward and make the PSA on behalf of the Phoenix Society. Bullen, 15-years-old, was burned at age three with burns over 90% of her body. She was J.R.’s guest on last week’s Dancing with the Stars.

You can find the broadcast of the special in your local market via the EXTRA web site.

The PSA will be available on the Phoenix Society website (www.phoenix-society.org) tonight!

World Burn Congress Exclusive: A message from burn survivor J.R. Martinez!

He might not have been in attendance, but he was there in spirit! Burn survivor and Dancing with the Stars contestant J.R. Martinez left a message for those at the Phoenix Society’s 2011 World Burn Congress!

(Note: You can ‘pause’ the video temporarily to allow it to load before playing)

Because of his participation in season 13 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Martinez, a burn survivor and Phoenix Society board member, wasn’t able to attend this year’s World Burn Congress. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t have an impact.

Note from the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors …

We hope you’re enjoying the live blog. Even if you’re not here with us, you are part of our community!

The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors’ 2011 World Burn Congress isn’t possible without our sponsors. You can learn more about World Burn Congress and other Phoenix Society programs at our official web site: www.phoenix-society.org. Make sure you follow us on Facebook, too!