Help Keith Thornton’s Daughter Thru Life-Threatening Crisis

As a close family friend of the Thornton Family, I've been allowed to share a small overview of their current situation. Before doing so, I’d like to mention that it is crucial to respect and honor the family's privacy during this challenging period as they are very distraught and being pulled in many directions at this time. They aren’t asking for help but I know they need it so I am praying that we as a community can come together to support this amazing family as they do so much for others.

During the very early hours of Tuesday, September 24th, Keith Thornton and Ian Lopez were abruptly awakened by the distressing cries of their 6-week old newborn daughter, Kali. As seasoned Emergency Medical Technicians, they immediately recognized the gravity of the situation as they discovered Kali's alarming fever and altered mental state. While Ian administered medication to alleviate Kali's temperature, Keith swiftly prepared her for an urgent trip to Lurie's Children's Hospital. Meanwhile, Ian took charge of waking, preparing, and transporting their other five children to their family's temporary care.

Upon arrival at Lurie's, Keith got Kali promptly admitted into the emergency room, where her condition rapidly deteriorated, necessitating emergency intubation and placement on a ventilator. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit due to persistent focal seizures which have continuously been inflicting severe impact on her brain. Some of the seizures have lasted for 30 minutes and are only seen on an EEG machine which makes it even more dangerous as they aren’t easily seen.

Following a CT Scan followed by an MRI, the scan revealed a potential brain bleed and multiple strokes, prompting consultations with both the pediatric neurology and cardiac teams for further evaluations. With Kali being under 60 days old, her immune system isn’t fully developed yet and because of this, she is extremely sensitive and prone to further medical complications as all of this started from a very basic bacterial infection in her body.

At this moment, Kali continues to have seizures, some lasting upwards of 30 minutes. She remains unconscious and on a ventilator until she is hopefully able to breath and support her own brain function.

This quickly evolving and unfortunate ordeal has placed an immense emotional and financial burden on Keith, Ian, and their entire family as they both have taken a leave of absence from work to stay by her side.

Keith, widely recognized for his unwavering dedication to public safety and advocacy for first responders, alongside Ian, who is deeply committed to serving others in the medical field, are now facing the daunting task of not only caring for Kali in the hospital setting (and hopefully, long term within the in-home setting), but they are also managing the needs of their five other children, including three foster children, two of which have autism and other special needs.

In light of Keith's remarkable contributions to the community and his unwavering support for first responders and mental health initiatives, we know that he’s a fighter for us all, but he and his family are in need of financial support during this incredibly challenging time and I am asking for your generosity and assistance as it will undoubtedly provide much-needed relief and stability until our heroic friend can bounce back into what he does best: serving and protecting others.

All he is focused on at this time is staying bedside with Kali, singing to her and praying over her, as he holds her hand. This is something that’s always done with her and if you follow him and Ian, you know how great of parents they are to all of their children.

We urge everyone to extend their love and support by reaching out via Facebook messages instead of calls or texts, as this special family is currently under immense stress and engaged in crucial discussions. It's vital that we continue to keep Kali and her family in our prayers. Despite their deep sadness, their unwavering faith in Jesus gives them hope, knowing that God is in full control and they trust only in Him. Your support is deeply appreciated, and this will be the only authorized donation for the family which will immediately assist with Kali’s medical expenses and recovery needs along with childcare and transportation services for their five other children, dog sitting for their two dogs, and every day housing and vehicle expenses to keep them current with bills.

Any little bit helps. I will keep everyone posted via this GoFundMe page. Please share this page’s link on your social media platforms.