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Family Stories

Families share stories about their “home-away-from-home”

  • 01
    Oct

    At just 14-years-old, Elijah has spent more time in a hospital than most people spend in their lifetime. Born with a congenital heart defect, the teenager has undergone six open heart surgeries. This past August, after he started fainting, Elijah was diagnosed with heart failure, resulting in another surgery to replace a valve. Doctors then discovered a blood clot in his brain that required an additional surgery. Continue Reading Keeping Close: Elijah’s Story...

  • 02
    Sep

    For our Guest Services Manager Bev, working at Ronald McDonald House® is more than just a job. It is a work of heart. That’s because Bev knows exactly what it’s like to be far from home when your child is sick. At two-years old Bev’s daughter Dannielle was diagnosed with a one-in-a-million heart issue. As a single mom with two other kids, Bev and her family found themselves hundreds of miles from home during extremely stressful circumstances Continue Reading A Work of Heart: Bev’s Story...

  • 01
    Jul

    She is described as the “sassy queen” of her family – “Don't call her a princess because she will correct you,” mom Heather said. But countless appointments, surgeries, and treatments have become normal activities for two-year-old Sadie. With breathing issues since birth, brain cysts, and other symptoms, doctors are still trying to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan for Sadie, which also means many trips Continue Reading A Family’s Special Place: Sadie’s Story...

  • 15
    Jun

    Thinking that they could not get pregnant, Payson, Arizona parents Lisa and Nick were ecstatic when they discovered they were having a baby. “He’s our little miracle boy,” Lisa said of her four-month-old son Logan. Continue Reading A Family’s Foundation: Logan’s Story...

  • 06
    May

    Even during a global pandemic, pediatric illness doesn’t stop. Still, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central and Northern Arizona continues to be a home base families can lean on as they focus on fighting life’s toughest battles. Continue Reading Comforts of Home: Jon’s Story...

  • 06
    Apr

    Serenity was enjoying life as 16-year-old girl in Bouse, Arizona. When she wasn’t spending time with her friends, she could be found playing volleyball, basketball, softball and running track for her high school. But when she went to the doctor for what she thought was the flu, Serenity’s world turned upside down. Continue Reading In It Together: Serenity’s Story...