Rachel Sanger never sought the spotlight, but her tireless dedication to the Midwest Children’s Burn Camp (MCBC) and its young burn survivors has made her a true “Unsung Hero.”
Nominated by Sheri Sherman, who has witnessed Rachel’s deep commitment firsthand, Sanger is being honored for her 15 years of volunteer service, including a decade as the camp’s nurse and five years as its medical director.
Her work goes far beyond clinical care—she is a pillar of emotional support and stability for children navigating life with physical and emotional scars.
Sherman vividly recalls the first time Sanger came onto her radar. “I chaired an event where the children from the burn camp participated in a fashion show. At the end, they performed a beautiful dance about being strong and embracing who they are. Some of the counselors joined them, and that’s when I saw Rachel for the first time—right there with the kids, singing, smiling, and encouraging them,” Sherman said. “It was so emotional, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. That was my first experience with her, and I was so impressed.”
This moment left a lasting impression on Sherman, who would go on to know Sanger better through their work together. “As time went on, I recognized her as a brave and fearless woman. She commits herself totally to everything she does, and because she’s a nurse for these children, she has a unique perspective on what they’ve been through. She admires them deeply, just as I do,” Sherman added.
Sanger’s journey began when she was just 21, shortly after a transformative experience on a Birthright trip. Eager to give back, she became a counselor at MCBC, a camp that offers healing and community for burn survivors, many of whom face ostracism in their everyday lives. What started as a volunteer role soon turned into a passion.
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“The two things that were really important to me were Judaism and helping people in health care,” Sanger said. And so began her journey of leading with both heart and skill.
The camp, where “every child is a burn survivor,” provides a safe space for healing—both inside and out. Sherman highlights the unique role the camp plays in these children’s lives. “This is no ordinary camp. Every child is a burn survivor. I have often said it is easier to heal the scars on the outside than on the inside. These children will not go to a public pool. They are ostracized by their peers and often by the community. Their only oasis is this camp,” Sherman explained.
Sanger has become a central figure, creating a nurturing environment where campers not only gain confidence but also develop lifelong friendships and even first-time romances. Her impact extends well beyond the camp’s boundaries; she maintains relationships with campers year-round through events and personal support, always making sure no child feels forgotten.
“Rachel makes every child feel important, safe, and valued. This isn’t just during camp either—she’s there year-round, cheering them on during picnics, Christmas parties, Cardinals baseball games, and so many other activities,” said Sherman.
Sanger’s influence can be seen in the countless personal stories of transformation she has facilitated. One particular camper, Claire, was severely burned in a car accident caused by an impaired driver. Despite the trauma, Claire thrived at MCBC under Sanger’s care. Over the years, their bond deepened, and today, Claire is not only a counselor at the camp but also a close friend. Recently, Claire gave birth to her second child, and fittingly, she asked Sanger to serve as her doula. Reflecting on this, Sanger shared, “It’s now a 15-year-long relationship that is so strong.”
Another camper who touched Sanger’s heart came from a difficult home environment. With her mother unable to care for her, the camp became this child’s only safe haven.
“She told me, ‘I don’t want to go back to St. Louis—this is my home,’” Sanger recalled. It was then that she realized the profound stability and safety she could provide by returning year after year, becoming a constant presence for campers who lacked support systems.
Brandon Pharr, who works closely with Sanger on the Medical Team at camp, describes her commitment with admiration.
“I’m Axe, and she’s Rocky,” he said, sharing their camp nicknames. “I am her right-hand man, and she supervises me and another nurse as part of the Medical Team. Rachel believes entire communities, one life at a time, can be transformed through the power of positive relationships. She has fostered the transformative power of matching these burn-survivor children with volunteer adults, seeing how not only are the children elevated, but our volunteers and the entire community, too.”
Sanger’s influence is not limited to emotional support and medical care; she has also become an innovative fundraiser for the camp, ensuring that the experience remains accessible to all children, regardless of their financial situation.
“Not one child pays for camp, and many have basic needs like clothing, shoes, pillows, even toothbrushes when they arrive. Rachel has been instrumental in organizing several successful fundraisers to make sure these needs are met,” said Sherman.
One of Sanger’s most remarkable achievements was the creation of the “Summit for Seventy” campaign, a physically demanding challenge in which she climbed the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest—29,029 feet—in just 36 hours to raise $70,000. Her goal? To send 70 kids to camp, which requires about $140,000 annually.
“I decided 70 was a big goal I might not make, but I set my sights high,” she said. Incredibly, Rachel exceeded expectations, raising $135,000 that year.
Sherman admired Sanger’s drive and determination. “She created a one-woman fundraiser called the Summit for Seventy Campaign, which involved Rachel pushing herself through physically difficult feats. The last event raised $80,000 and counting.”
Although she no longer repeats the climb annually, the Summit for Seventy campaign continues through events like the Bourbon fundraiser, which Rachel created to sustain the camp’s mission. The fundraiser has become a community highlight, drawing large crowds and further cementing Rachel’s reputation as a force for good.
As both nurse and medical director, Sanger’s role is complex, requiring her to make difficult decisions that balance the needs of individual campers with the broader health of the group. The COVID-19 pandemic presented one of her biggest challenges yet, forcing her to move camp online in 2020. “It was a really hard call because I know how much the campers rely on it all year long,” she explained. Though difficult, the decision underscored Sanger’s ability to lead with both compassion and practicality.
Madeleine Carson, program director at Sanger’s work, recalls Sanger’s leadership during the summer of 2019, when camp faced a period of leadership transition, and their host campsite arrangements fell through. “Rachel took it upon herself to rally the troops and make sure camp happened,” Carson said. “She worked her connections to secure another campsite, and camp went off without a hitch. I remember watching her reluctantly accept recognition—she never asked for the public adulation. Seeing the campers have an emotionally and physically safe week at camp has always been her primary motivation.”
Her journey has been one of growth, sacrifice, and unrelenting love for the children she serves. Sanger’s ability to merge her Jewish values with her dedication to healthcare has created a legacy of compassion and resilience that will continue to shape the lives of burn survivors for years to come.
“Rachel is an unusual young woman, deeply committed to helping children who have been dealt a very difficult hand in life. She is truly making their lives better. She is the epitome of an Unsung Hero,” Sherman said.
Rachel Sanger
Age: 35
Home: Clayton
Family: Married
Fun fact: Rachel has a black belt in Taekwondo and hiked the vertical equivalent of Mt. Everest (29,029 feet) in less than 36 hours.
