An early walker, Ella was just 11 months old when she leaned against the hot glass of a gas fireplace resulting in deep contact burn injuries to her palms. Her parents rushed her to Children’s Hospital Colorado. There, she was treated by the head of the Burn Center, Steven Moulton, MD. Beyond the expert care that Ella received that night and subsequently—including multiple skin grafts on both her hands and years of occupational, rehabilitation and physical therapy—her family also received the emotional support they all needed to heal. As a middle schooler, Ella attended the Children’s Colorado Burn Camps Program and it helped her process some of the upsetting experiences she has faced. Today, Ella has big plans for her future. She is an accomplished pianist, loves to draw Japanese-style anime and wants to be an illustrator when she grows up. Donate to Ella’s fundraising page.

Will, a high school student, was seriously injured in the summer of 2020 when a small smoke flare – the kind sold alongside sparklers at roadside fireworks tents – malfunctioned and exploded in his hand. The accident left Will with painful burns along his right palm, thumb and index finger. He was treated at the Burn Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado and has participated in the hospital’s annual Burn Camp ever since his injury. “Everyone at the Burn Center helped me with my wounds and hand therapy so that I could have a great outcome from my injury,” Will says. Donate to Will’s fundraising page.