Helping Heidi

In the early morning hours of April 4th, a devastating fire broke out in the Broomfield, Colorado home of Heidi, John, their two children, two bunnies and their family dog.
13 year old son, Josiah was the first to smell the smoke, ran down the stairs shouting "FIRE", grabbed their 2 pet bunnies and was able to get outside to safety. At this time the upstairs hallway was already engulfed in flames.  John ran from his bedroom and through the flames into the bedroom of daughter, Eliana, who had been instructed by Heidi to stay on the floor. John picked up his 11 year old daughter and ran back through the flames to get Eliana to the stairs so she could make her way outside with her big brother.  In the meantime, Heidi was still trapped in their bedroom, surrounded by heavy, blinding smoke. She stayed low to the ground trying to find her way to a second story window, slid it partially open, burning her hand on the metal. She dropped back to the ground.  She knew that her children were safely out of the house, and began praying that her husband was, too. She found her way to the bathroom, turned the water on in the sink and tub and began praying for the health and safety of her family. 
Just as she began to think that this would be her last day on earth, John leapt through the wall of flames AGAIN, and helped Heidi through the smoke to a different window above their garage. He managed to climb through and turn around to assist his wife out of their burning home. They both slid down the roof and jumped from the first story ledge. Once they reached their children across the street, they knew that there was no way to get back inside to rescue their beloved Schnauzer mix, Toodles. 
In a flash, the paramedics and fire department arrived. As the family was being whisked off to the hospital, the first responders were able to get into the home and retrieve Toodles, who was immediately given oxygen and escorted to an emergency veterinary hospital.

Heidi sustained burns to her hand and lung damage due to heavy smoke inhalation.
John has a 20% burn to his feet, legs, arms and face and is currently undergoing surgical skin grafts and being cared for in ICU.
Eliana has 11% burn to her feet, legs, arms and face and was discharged, after 4 days in a burn unit, to their temporary home under the loving care of her mother.
Josiah fortunately sustained no physical injuries is able to continue attending school while the bunnies are being cared for by a neighbor.
Toodles has been diagnosed with hydrogen cyanide toxicity and carbon monoxide poisoning and is being treated by a 24 hour animal ICU for continual oxygen chamber, seizure treatment, IV fluids and neurological monitoring. 

So many of you have asked how to best support this beautiful family during this very difficult time, so we have started this page to help them recover and to show our love and support. The funds will go directly to the Salinas family to help them pay the extensive medical bills for themselves, the increasing cost to save their precious dog,  the immediate need for food and clothing and the cost of rebuilding their home and lives.


My name is Laurel. Heidi is a dear friend, as well as a Good Samaritan Medical Center colleague. I live in Colorado near the Salinas family and will be able to continue providing updates on their recovery.  Every single dollar and every single SHARE makes a difference and all monies will be deposited directly into the bank account of the Salinas family. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping Heidi and her family.