American Red Cross employee John Minnick is truly a helping hand in his local community, wearing many hats. In addition to his responsibilities as a Blood Collections Specialist at the Liverpool Blood Donation Center he is also a volunteer fireman and hazardous materials specialist with the East Syracuse Fire Department.

For the past 17 years, he has helped organize the annual Burn Run, which supports the Burn Foundation of Central New York. 

A primary mission of the Burn Foundation is paying for children and adolescents with burn injuries to attend Burn Camp where they have an opportunity to interact with others and to receive emotional and physical support. Its other projects include directly helping burn survivors treated at local hospitals purchase durable equipment as well as paying for services not covered by their insurance.

The Burn Foundation will be honored by the Central and Northern New York Chapter of at the Red Cross at the 2023 Real Heroes Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Marriott Syracuse Downtown. The organization will receive the Emergency Services Hero Award, one of seven awards being presented.

“The Burn Run was started to highlight the importance of health and fitness in the fire service to prevent ‘Line of Duty deaths’ which those numbers climb every year,” said John. “Then the need came up to help support burn survivors from our community and the staff that provides these lifesaving services.”

John explains that, “Our first line of defense against severe burn injuries is our firefighters. They are not only trained in technical firefighting strategies, they are also combat-ready physically fit men and women the public counts on to save them during fire calls. The Burn Run is one of the few New York State races that promotes the health and fitness of firefighters.” 

The Burn Run was developed by the East Syracuse Fire Department and organized by a dedicated committee of firefighters. The race includes a 5K and 10K nationally certified race, as well as a kids fun run. John has served as the race director since the burn run began in 2006.

John looks forward to seeing many of his fellow Red Cross staff and volunteers at the event in addition to community members who wish to support a large team of firefighters, EMS and healthcare providers from around New York State who have provided care for those with severe burns and life changing injuries.

Whether you run or attend the event as a spectator, the Burn Run will be both a festive and educational event, while keeping in mind the safety of our first responders and the children and families who have suffered severe burns and life-changing injuries.

“Our event is filled with excitement from being a part of a huge family. Lots of music, a bag pipe band, Syracuse U mascot, a special landing of a MEDEVAC helicopter for the kids to get into, and much more. Prizes for all of our kid runners and some special treats!”

John recently sat down with Content Creation Team Volunteer Member Stephen Bogdan to discuss this year’s Burn Run.

Describe how your role with the Burn Run and a blood collections specialist with the American Red Cross complement each other?

“In my position we collect blood which, in many cases, goes to Upstate Medical Center in our community which is also the surgical burn center for 20 plus counties across New York State and Pennsylvania, so some of the blood I collect will be used by our burn survivors.”

The Red Cross has been involved with the Burn Run for the past four years. How will the Red Cross be involved this year?

“The Red Cross Disaster Team will be present. Attendees will learn about how the team gives immediate support during a crisis.

“There will be information on the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign  which helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes, and by educating people about home fire safety.

“Several Red Cross folks played a large part in planning months in advance of the event.”

Pictured: Disaster Program Manager Maddy Clark and Disaster Services Volunteer Bobbie Krukowski at the 2022 Burn Run.

The annual Burn Run is an excellent opportunity to promote goodwill between first responders and the community while supporting children and adolescents whose lives have been affected by severe burn injuries.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about this year’s Burn Run?

“Folks should come to be a part of a large circle of providers from the first on the scene firefighter, to the Red Cross Disaster team that give immediate support during the crisis, to the hospital healthcare providers.”

Visit theburnrun.org for more information and to register.