Testimonials

We pride ourselves on nurturing the amazing community that continues to make a difference in the lives of firefighters, family members, burn survivors and medical professionals. It is because of that we find it important to share with you just how big of an impact every donation makes in the lives of those we impact.
If you or a family member has been assisted by the Denver Firefighters Charitable Foundation, we encourage you to share your story with us!
All testimonials are posted anonymously and to encourage others to continue their fight.

A family never expects to be the one to reach out for help in a time of need. Unfortunately, November 2017 we became that family. My nephew was hospitalized for 29 days after an emergency surgery on his bowels. He is seven years old, he has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a disease he was born with that requires extensive care from his father. His father works in construction and does not have a sick or vacation bank to supply wages. He cares for two young boys; weekly paychecks are a priority for their survival.

It was the Denver Firefighters Charitable Foundation that became the hero for our family. Their help made it possible for my brother to be at the hospital every day, keep bills satisfied, put food on the table and have a piece of mind to focus on his son. Our family is beyond grateful for the Denver Firefighter Charitable Foundation and all its contributors. Thank you for giving our family the chance to feel supported.

I want to express our gratitude for all the Denver Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation has done and continues to do for Burn Camp Participants.

My daughter, Rebecca, suffered a serious burn at the age of 13 during a summer when she wanted to be practicing field hockey, swimming and enjoying the typical social life of someone her age. Instead she was hospitalized and then discharged to weeks of pain that came with daily dressing changes that pulled at her skin and kept her isolated and alone.

An astute and compassionate staff member at the hospital saw Rebecca's emotional struggle and managed to get her signed up at the last minute for her first Burn Camp. Little did she (or we) know how it would change her life.

Over the course of several years, Becca attended summer camps, winter camps and an all-girls Boundary Waters trip. Her compassion, leadership and confidence grew. Rebecca met people whose physical and emotional wounds were much worse than hers. It stretched her perspective. The professionals, including the fire fighters, challenged her and encouraged her.

Your organization has continued to support Becca's success. She has benefitted immensely from the scholarships your organization has provided for each of her five years of college. She will graduate with a Masters degree in Environmental Science with a specialization in soil and water. You have reduced the heavy burden of her tuition debt.

On behalf of my husband and me, please accept our heartfelt thanks and the contribution enclosed that will pay it forward for other young burn survivors.

On February 25, 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer. A tumor was found in my right front temporal lobe, and after a craniotomy was performed and the tumor removed (to the extent that it could be) the pathology showed it to be a rare form of brain cancer. I soon thereafter began aggressive treatments to try and kill the cancer. I went through 6.5 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy 5 days a week. Following radiation I was given a month for rest and recovery, then I started chemotherapy. What was supposed to be a 6 month course of chemotherapy and MRI's eventually turned into 15 months. Fortunately, I made it through this long process and am now cancer free!

During the course of my treatments the bills began to pile up rather quickly. Between co-pays, medications, and travel expenses I was spending quite a bit of money even with good health care coverage. The [Foundation] and its members were very quick to offer assistance in any way they could. After compiling a list of my co-pays they issued me a check without question or hesitation. This check was a huge help! As one might imagine, I was dealing with many things, and not having to worry about anything financially was a great boost both financially and emotionally!

The [Foundation] really helped me out and couldn't have made it any easier! Fighting cancer was made much more tolerable through the kindness and generosity shown to me be the [Foundation]! I can't thank them enough!

On January 1, 2010 I was involved in a roof collapse while ventilating a residential structure fire. I never thought my career and life would change as dramatically as it did that day. I spent 40 days in the burn unit at UC Davis Hospital, Sacremento and another two weeks in a step-down unit. Eventually I was able to stand, take steps and, before leaving the hospital, I climbed six flights of stairs. I was determined to regain my life.

Recently the Washington D.C. Fire Fighters Burn Foundation along with your Foundation invited me to attend a week of physical and mental rehabilitation in Crested Butte Colorado. The camaraderie among the participants was amazing. We do not have the opportunity to gather with other fire fighter burn survivors in a setting like this very often. Equal to the physical progress I made were the social bonds and emotional healing.

I cannot thank you enough for your support of this event. It will always be a highlight in my recovery and my life.

Because of Burn Camp I was able to build the confidence to not be afraid of what people thought of the way I looked. I didn't care that they stared at me because I knew that there are other people out there who know what it is like to be me.