On Saturday, February 27, Valley residents rolled up their sleeves, shined up their cars and took to the road to take part in Valleywise Health Foundation’s Inaugural Road Rally to benefit the new Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health.

More than 50 cars participated in the inaugural event, which included four beautiful stops across the state of Arizona. Thanks in part to a generous donation match, the rally helped raise over $160,000 for the new Arizona Burn Center, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2023. Beginning in Scottsdale at G Collection and ending at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ, the event also included a poker run, a raffle for a trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro and more. The array of cars was impressive, ranging from vintage cars like the 1952 Jaguar C-type and 1960 Zagato bodied Alfa Romeo to modern cars like the Porsche GT3 and the Porsche 356 Emory Outlaw.

The event had a very personal tie as the organizer, Jason Nelson, is a burn survivor who spent six months being treated at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health following a natural gas explosion that left him with an 80% burn. Jason came to Valleywise Health with the Road Rally concept as a way to give back to the people and place that saved his life.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Jason for being such a champion for the Arizona Burn Center and so willing to bring this opportunity to the Foundation to bring awareness while having a little socially distanced fun,” said Nate Lowrie, CEO of Valleywise Health Foundation. “It was such a fun experience seeing so many great cars on the road, all in support of Valleywise Health and the amazing work they do within our community.”

The inaugural Road Rally was generously sponsored by: Access Pro Medical, Inde Motorsports Ranch, RideSold, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Community Tissue Services, Cunningham Law Firm, K2 Adventure Travel, Desert Ford Dealers, American Medical Response and ABC Ambulance, BrewerWood, Gauthier Jewelry and G Collection, gooder goods, Hyer Quality Detail, Johnson American Driving Experience, Kachina Management, Inc., Otto Car Club, PHI Air Medical, Put A Fork In It Catering, Vanir Construction Management, Blue Cottage of CannonDesign and NNR Multicultural.

Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health is Arizona's only nationally verified burn center and treats thousands of patients each year. The funds raised will help support state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and hyperbaric therapy, physical and occupational wellness programs, family support groups, expanded burn research support and emergency and crisis programs.

To learn more about The Arizona Burn Center - Valleywise Health and the care provided, please visit valleywisehealth.org/arizona-burn-center-valleywise-health.
Donations are still being taken in support of the event so please visit http://www.valleywisehealthfoundation.org/donate.