rmhc logo
    • About Us
      • Meet the Team
      • Blog
      • Red Shoe Crew
      • Our History
      • Our Relationship with McDonalds
    • WHAT WE DO
      • Ronald McDonald House
      • Ronald McDonald Family Lounge
      • Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
      • Comfort Cart
      • How to Stay
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer
      • Kindness Kitchen
      • Wish List
      • Other Ways to Give
        • RMHC Apparel
    • Events
      • Rhinestone Rodeo
      • Clays for Kids
      • Smokin’ Summer Porktacular
      • Team RMHC
    • Donate
    • Board Portal
      • Board Brief
  • About Us
  • WHAT WE DO
  • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Board Portal
  • MENUmobile hamburger
  • mobile search

The Thomas Family

Christina's Story

My son Christian was born ten weeks early via emergency C-Section on February 15, 2019. He stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for almost two and a half months. My family lives almost an hour and a half away from the hospital, and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my child alone. That’s when my nurse mentioned the Ronald McDonald House; they told me it was like a little hotel inside of the hospital, so I could stay close by my child.

When I first walked in, everyone was so welcoming. Everyone was smiling and asking how I was doing – they had great hospitality. I couldn’t even take in everything that was going on – it looked so amazing. It felt warm and loving just like a home. The Ronald McDonald House literally saved me from leaving my premature child alone and helped feed me and my other children every day. It was a short walk from my son’s room to my room, and I spent most days in [Christian’s] NICU room.

The Comfort Cart came around with snacks at least twice a day. I didn’t have the funds to eat at the cafeteria every day, so without the Ronald McDonald House I don’t know what I would have eaten. They had breakfast and homemade dinners every single day. And, I loved the fact that my other children could come and stay with me while I was there. The Ronald McDonald House helps you feel a little less stressed even when your world is falling apart because you’re literally living inside a hospital while your child is fighting for his life.

Going through this was such a stressful time, but seeing Christian hit every milestone was such a great feeling. Christian’s milestones were a little different than a full term child. We celebrated the day he came off the CPAP to normal oxygen, when he got to be put into a normal crib, and when he got to have his first bottle. Most of all, we celebrated the day he finally got to come home. Being a NICU mom is hard, but thanks to the Ronald McDonald House I had a bed to sleep in at night, a place to shower, and food in my stomach daily. I would recommend the Ronald McDonald House to anyone.

donate Icon DONATE
volunteer Icon VOLUNTEER
Newsletter Signup NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

  • Meet the Team
  • Newsletter
  • Financial Statements (990)
  • Impact Report
  • Privacy Policy
  • Board Portal

© 2019 Ronald McDonald House Charities

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates; McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

RMHC is recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations to RMHC are deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisor for questions regarding deductibility. The RMHC EIN is 35-1950376. A copy of the RMHC determination letter is available upon request.

    About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Blog
  • Red Shoe Crew
  • Our History
  • Our Relationship with McDonalds
    WHAT WE DO
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • Ronald McDonald Family Lounge
  • Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
  • Comfort Cart
  • How to Stay
    Get Involved
  • Volunteer
  • Kindness Kitchen
  • Wish List
  • Other Ways to Give
  • RMHC Apparel
    Events
  • Rhinestone Rodeo
  • Clays for Kids
  • Smokin’ Summer Porktacular
  • Team RMHC
    Donate
    Board Portal
  • Board Brief
Better Business Bureau