Everyone has heard about the Ronald McDonald house. They are an invaluable resource for families with ill children, giving them a place to stay, food to comfort them, and volunteers that offer a ear to listen and shoulder to cry on.
Just writing this blog is bringing me to tears because I have been a parent who relied on The Ronald McDonald house foundation in the past. Sharing my story is hard but important to show the beauty of this charity. 10 days after our daughter was born, she developed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (known commonly as MRSA), which is an infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to antibiotics. We were admitted to UNC Children's Hospital and were terrified. For days I didn't unpack our suitcases because I didn't want to admit that we'd be there and how serious it was. Our nurses came to us and offered to stay by her crib with IV poles and monitors attached to our sleeping infant and simply wouldn't take no for an answer to having us go to the floor where the Ronald McDonald Family Room was waiting. As locals, we didn't need a place to stay, but we did partake of their coffee, their snacks, and a calm place to center ourselves. It was much needed respite from our devastating struggle for our daughter's survival. Several antibiotics later, close to a stint into her heart, an antibiotic finally worked and we could take our fragile baby girl home. I'll never forget the kindness the organization showed us in our time of need. Then when our daughter was nearly two a condition called Failure to Thrive led us to get a Gastronomy Tube (G-Tube) inserted into her stomach at Duke Hospital so that we could feed her. During our difficult stay during and after the surgery, we often went down to this other Ronald McDonald room that offered books, computers, drinks and food, as well as kind volunteers to lend us sweet words of hope. It again was a much needed escape from the incredible stress we were under.
Just writing this blog is bringing me to tears because I have been a parent who relied on The Ronald McDonald house foundation in the past. Sharing my story is hard but important to show the beauty of this charity. 10 days after our daughter was born, she developed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (known commonly as MRSA), which is an infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to antibiotics. We were admitted to UNC Children's Hospital and were terrified. For days I didn't unpack our suitcases because I didn't want to admit that we'd be there and how serious it was. Our nurses came to us and offered to stay by her crib with IV poles and monitors attached to our sleeping infant and simply wouldn't take no for an answer to having us go to the floor where the Ronald McDonald Family Room was waiting. As locals, we didn't need a place to stay, but we did partake of their coffee, their snacks, and a calm place to center ourselves. It was much needed respite from our devastating struggle for our daughter's survival. Several antibiotics later, close to a stint into her heart, an antibiotic finally worked and we could take our fragile baby girl home. I'll never forget the kindness the organization showed us in our time of need. Then when our daughter was nearly two a condition called Failure to Thrive led us to get a Gastronomy Tube (G-Tube) inserted into her stomach at Duke Hospital so that we could feed her. During our difficult stay during and after the surgery, we often went down to this other Ronald McDonald room that offered books, computers, drinks and food, as well as kind volunteers to lend us sweet words of hope. It again was a much needed escape from the incredible stress we were under.
In case you aren't aware of the great capacity that they serve, it's impressive when it's explained. The Ronald McDonald House serves families from across NC and beyond who have seriously ill children that need to travel to our area for medical treatment. The House could not run without the countless volunteers that give of their time to make sure that the families are cared for during their time of need. Often times facing a life threatening or life changing medical crisis of your child is one of the most difficult times of a parents life. At the Ronald McDonald House families find a team of caring volunteers, a comfortable bed at the end of a draining day, a hot cup of coffee in the morning and a place to call home when if feels like life has been turned upside down. There they create a space that feels like home for families when they can't be at their own home so that they can stay close to their sick child. Just one example of a family served by RMH is Dylan Zuege's story, the little boy in the picture on the left.
The Chapel Hill RMH will be opening up an expansion this fall - you can see the rapidly approaching deadline on their website countdown - that will double the size of the House and our ability to serve more families. This effort is called Make Room for Hope. The Ronald McDonald House serves nearly 2,200 families every year – sadly, though, they turn away another 800 because we just don't have room. We need volunteers to make this dream a reality. All the things done in your own home are the things we need help with. If you have 3 hours a week to give or a group that would like to volunteer we want to meet you! You can even click here to watch the live construction webcam!
They will have weekly tours available to anyone interested starting in August on Tuesdays at Noon and 5:30pm. Simply email Cathy Hall for information Cathy@rmh-chapelhill.org
To find out more about this important charity: http://www.rmh-chapelhill.org/
The many ways you can volunteer your time or donate money: http://www.rmh-chapelhill.org/section/how-you-can-help
To follow the latest news on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RMHChapelHill
About the expansion: http://makeroomforhope.com/
They will have weekly tours available to anyone interested starting in August on Tuesdays at Noon and 5:30pm. Simply email Cathy Hall for information Cathy@rmh-chapelhill.org
To find out more about this important charity: http://www.rmh-chapelhill.org/
The many ways you can volunteer your time or donate money: http://www.rmh-chapelhill.org/section/how-you-can-help
To follow the latest news on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RMHChapelHill
About the expansion: http://makeroomforhope.com/
Another fun way to support the RMH is to attend the banquet A Tasteful Affair in November, now in their 25th year. When I was a restaurant manager with Spotted Dog in Carrboro, we were a partner restaurant that donated food and services to the event. They once again expect 500 guests from across the Triangle to join in the festivities and enjoy delicious samples from over two-dozen of the area’s finest restaurants, catering companies, beverage purveyors and food trucks. Tickets go on sale soon!
You can make a difference for families in need. Please volunteer today!
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