Cindy Rutter sees what many would consider a tragedy-being severely burned as a child-as a gift. "This has been a blessing in my life, that I could take that experience and help others. If I can in any way make someone's journey through burn recovery any easier, then I will do it."

Because she feels that she has something special, Rutter has worked for years as a burn center nurse in hospitals in Arizona and California. She also has volunteered countless hours helping burn survivors through a variety of efforts, many of which she was instrumental in starting.

She coordinates a support program at an annual camp for children, facilitates a retreat for burn survivors aged 17 to 20 and a yearly retreat for adult burn survivors, which she co-founded in 1994. She oversees a re-entry program to help young burn victims return to school. She is a volunteer for the American Burn Association and serves on the advisory board of the Burn Institute.

Her extensive prevention work includes developing, securing funding for and implementing a parent education program called "Baby Be Safe," which is designed to reduce the number of burn injuries in children.

Rutter believes she gets more from her community service than she gives. "I thought I could lend some experience to people, provide them with insights and hope. I thought I was going to be inspirational, but each and every patient I've ever taken care of has totally inspired me."

Her biggest challenge is persuading new burn survivors that things will get better with time. Here again, her experience plays an important part. "The fact that I've been through the experience myself helps them to see that they can go on and live happy, productive lives. I'm married and have children. Seeing me helps them believe they can do anything they set their minds to."

Rutter's payoff for her work also comes with time. "Seeing people a few years down the road-people who have gone through some of the programs-seeing their strength and perseverance is very fulfilling."

Finding the blessing in another tragedy, Rutter said that increased awareness of burns is one of the good things to come out of Sept. 11. "I hate that it happened, but it has brought burns to the public eye. More people now know there are burn survivors in our country."

Rutter's dream is for society to learn to accept physical differences, which would ease the transition for burn patients. She also has high hopes for continued improvement in the technology for treatment and rehabilitation of burns. "I'd like to see after-care programs throughout the country, a continuum of care after discharge."

For fun, Rutter rides horses and spends time on the water in the family boat. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her two "incredible" daughters, one of whom nominated her for this award.

"My burn injury built character in me I otherwise would never have had," Rutter said. "It definitely has been a gift to me through the people it has brought into my life."