Since 1974, the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) has been helping families physically, economically, and emotionally through their health care journey. For families who must travel to access medical care for their child, the RMHC program helps reduce the stress and financial burden they face.
RMHC believes in family-centered care and is constantly evolving its three core programs to meet growing needs. This is done worldwide, in 62 countries, through the consorted efforts of medical partners and over 100,000 volunteers who, by their efforts, help direct donations to programs that support families and children. 90% of top children’s hospitals around the world are home to at least one RMHC core program.
The House program offers overnight stays for families, a safe-haven home away from home, with all the essential comforts, and within walking distance from the hospital, providing healthy psychological benefits, such as better sleep, more positive hospital experiences, and a better ability to participate in their child’s care.
The Mobile program brings dental, medical, and health care resources to underserved communities, with a holistic approach. Each vehicle cost about $500K just to build, not including maintenance, and more are needed.
The Family Room is a place for families to refresh and regroup, away from the medical environment, with fully-stocked kitchen and laundry facilities, private bathrooms and showers, Internet access, reading materials, seating area with television, and sleeping rooms.
Aside from the immediate medical needs of the children who are being treated, RMHC provides comforting meals, playtime, and recreational activities, accredited education programs, support services such as children’s art therapy, and music programs, gardens so families can grow food, and sibling support services.
RMHC has helped families save nearly $443 million in hotel and meal expenses. There is still more work to be done, which is why CharityRx is working hard in August through the “Raise Love” fundraiser so more families with sick children can share more hugs, smiles, and time together. Sometimes the best medicine is just having family nearby.
LANDON’S STORY
Landon was a typical healthy baby boy upon birth. There was no cause for alarm until days later when a night nurse noticed something unusual. With the assistance of another nurse, they listened to Landon’s heart, and discovered signs of a potential murmur. Landon’s mother, Melissa, became scared. Though she does not have a medical background, she knew a heart condition was serious and worried about her baby. The nurses reassured her saying, “A lot of babies are born this way.” However, the follow-up appointment with the doctor indicated that this was not a “typical” murmur. Soon after meeting with the cardiac team, it was discovered that Landon was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and an oversized hole in this heart.
Despite Landon’s dad having good health insurance, he and Melissa knew that it was not going to cover enough of the medical expenses typically seen with this condition. Melissa said, “The panic set in. We wanted our baby fixed, but the worry of how we could possibly pay for this was overwhelming.”
She was put in touch with the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). “They told me not to worry about anything and that everything would be taken care of. And it was!” said a now-relieved Melissa. “My worries of where we were going to stay, money for food, and transportation while Landon was getting his medical needs met were all put to rest.” RMHC® provided comfortable lodging for both parents and a support person of their choice. This eliminated all other worries. The only thing they had to focus on was their baby, Landon.
At a mere 6 months old, Landon had the needed surgery and the hole in his heart was fixed. He still needs an additional surgery to repair his heart valve, but the team decided to prolong this as much as possible to hopefully prevent other surgeries down the road.
The Children’s Village Cardiac team has since been monitoring his progress. Irrespective of the needed heart surgery in his future, he is keeping up with boys his age without great fatigue, his lips turning blue, or difficulty breathing.
Despite certain limitations, Landon is now an active 10-year old boy. He loves playing video games on his Xbox and sports, especially skateboarding, and although he loves football, the family was advised against that due to possible chest injuries. His mother, Melissa, said, “He is very aware of his condition and fortunately, the only reminder of his first open-heart surgery is the large scar on his chest. He is not very scared knowing he has an upcoming surgery, but we know this next one will be more extensive as his pain receptors are now developed and will cause more pain associated with this surgery.”
Landon has become an advocate and fundraiser himself, helping to raise money to help other children with heart conditions. His first goal was to raise $50. He was elated when he more than doubled his goal and received recognition for his efforts. More importantly, he understood the rewarding feeling one gets when donating to those in need.
“Landon is an average boy with not only an enlarged heart physically, but a huge heart in the love and compassion he shows others,” says his mother.
Melissa and Landon hope his story can inspire others to continue to give to those in need and help other families like theirs to have hope and comfort during times of a child’s medical crisis.
