Rockford volleyball tournament aims to empower burn survivors

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A burn survivor and her nonprofit partnered with another to support burn survivors on Saturday.

Stacy Moore created the event through her organization, Through the Flames, to partner with Camp I Am Me to raise money for burn survivors.

“I am a burn survivor myself. I was burned in a campfire when I was six years old,” said Moore. “I was sitting too close to the fire. My uncle poured gasoline on it, and it exploded, and I got caught on fire.”

Camp brings together thousands of young burn survivors for a weeklong summer camp that provides a nonjudgmental atmosphere.

Heidi Pena works as a nurese practioner with the organization. She feels the summer camp is a lifechanging experience for campers.

“They’ll come to camp with long shorts and long pants on. And within 30 minutes… they’re in t-shirts and having fun,” said Pena. “So, it’s a place for them just to enjoy the week, be themselves, not have to worry about anybody.”

Moore said volunteering with the summer camp allowed her to connect with fellow burn survivors, which gave her a purpose.

“If you have a passion about something God gives us all of those passions. If you have a passion about something and you feel like you have a voice, use your voice,” Moore explained. “Start talking to your friends and family. Start small and you’ll grow big in no time. As long as you have a passion for something, it can grow into something pretty amazing, like our volleyball tournament and my nonprofit.”