My Why – Vondell Heltz

“In January 2000, my nine-year-old grandson, Johnny, was diagnosed with brain cancer. In November 2003 my son-in-law’s job required the family to move to Morgantown, West Virginia. This meant a six-hour drive for me every time I was needed to help with our Johnny. There is a Ronald McDonald House near the University of West Virginia Children’s Hospital and the staff there was so helpful and secured a hotel room at a discounted rate for me each time I needed one. Our story isn’t a happy one as Johnny lost his five-year battle March 4, 2005.”

“When I heard this fantastic new Ronald McDonald House was opening at Parkview in 2012, I decided volunteering here would be a small way to ‘pay-it-forward.’ It was something I could do to help families going through what our family experienced during Johnny’s illness. Little did I know what a blessing I would receive being at the Ronald McDonald House. I have now been receiving this blessing for six years and I plan on many more.”