Arina Jackson was really looking forward to celebrating her Sweet 16 Birthday with all her friends. But she wasn’t so sure about all those gifts. “I am really so lucky to have a great party like this. Instead of getting gifts, too, I wanted to do something for someone else.”

As the Foundation Chair for the local chapter of Jack and Jill of America and an active member of Bridge Builders, 16-year-old Arina knew there were many worthy causes in her community to support. She decided to ask her party guests to bring donations for one of these causes in lieu of traditional birthday gifts.

But which cause to choose?

Once Arina decided to focus on health care, her mother had the perfect idea: The Firefighters Regional Burn Center at The MED. As its Director of Nursing, Catresa Jackson knew how important this center was to the greater Memphis area. As the only full-service burn center within a 150-mile radius of the city, it has the advanced equipment and highly trained specialists crucial to treating severe burn victims.

Arina liked the idea immediately, especially since she suspected many of her friends were not even aware of the burn center’s existence. “When I started letting my friends know that I didn’t want gifts, they were totally shocked. ‘No gifts?’ they’d say, ‘Really?’ But then I told them about wanting to raise money for the burn center and they got really excited.”

Ultimately, Arina and her friends raised $300 for the center. Even more importantly, Arina’s friends and their parents now know about this vital service at The MED. “A lot of people don’t know just how really important The MED is to everyone here. With services like the Firefighters Regional Burn Center and the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center, sooner or later everyone’s life is touched by what they do.”

“We all hope and pray that no harm or danger will ever happen to us, but if something did happen, I know The MED is there, and that means a lot to all of us," she continued.

Arina was so happy with her decision to ask for donations to the center instead of gifts, that she’s planning on doing it again. “Some of my friends are planning on doing the same thing, too,” she said. “And you can be sure I’ll be suggesting The MED every time.”

Arina has such a giving spirit. Our community is a better place because she’s in it.

You can honor Arina and her generous spirit by making a donation benefitting The MED Foundation at www.themedfoundation.org/donation. Just type “Arina” in the “In Honor” field so she knows she inspired your gift.