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NC Jaycee  Burn Center hosted the 27th Annual “Celebration of Life” burn survivors’ reunion on Saturday, November 11th.

Burn Survivors' Reunion

This event offered survivors, their families and friends, members of the fire service, current and former Burn Center staff, and community volunteers an opportunity to come together to share stories of recovery, struggle, and hope.

The event at the Friday Center featured guest speaker  Bonnie Woodruff, who on Sunday, May 12, 1996, Mother’s Day and graduation day at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, lost her only son, Ben, to a tragic fire at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. Even though smoke alarms activated, there was not enough time for Ben, and four other students, to escape. After experiencing the ultimate loss of her child, Bonnie chose to bring positive change to fire prevention efforts and move beyond this tragedy to bring hope for others. “I don’t have visible scars, but I have a scarred heart,” said Woodruff. “Every time I’ve told my story–and I’ve told it a lot of times–that grief and that pain softens.”

Woodruff was not physically injured by the fire, but she talked to the burn survivors about the mental toll of recovering from emotional trauma. “The fire had a profound effect on my family,” said Woodruff. “Literally, our dreams for Ben went up in smoke.” Her message resonated with many of the burn survivors at the reunion.

Bonnie is also part of Common Voices, an advocacy group for fire safety. She shared the stage at the reunion by fellow Common Voices board member, Dan Jones. Dan was the Fire Chief for Chapel Hill, NC when the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity caught on fire. The fire resulted in significant policy and legislative changes for student housing and new developments that have made the community (and others) much safer.

For more information about the event watch Spectrum News Video here.