News & Stories
17-year-old Hunter celebrates birthday by supporting Ronald McDonald House
In 2021, 16-year-old Hunter Hildebrand was diagnosed with Pectus Carinatum, a life-threatening condition that reduces lung capacity and makes breathing difficult. The Quincy, Illinois, native traveled to St. Louis for…
Geen Family finds comfort in the Ronald McDonald Family Room during son’s cancer treatments
On October 25, 2021, Jennifer and Brian Geen heard the devasting news that two-year-old Ollie was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer that affects about 1 in…
The West County Ronald McDonald House supports the Lawson Family during NICU stay
When Sydney and Eric Lawson found out they were expecting their third child, they were overjoyed to add a new addition to their family. Four months into their pregnancy, they…
The Stevens family honors the memory of their daughter Macy by starting a foundation to support fellow families
Karen and Jordan Stevens were expecting a beautiful, healthy baby girl until their five-month check-up. The couple was devastated when the doctor shared the difficult news that their baby was…
Barrett’s family stayed close when they needed it most thanks to RMHC
On February 8, 2019, Betina and Dustin Hood welcomed their son, Barrett, into the world. Barrett was diagnosed with Radial Longitudinal Deficiency or Radial Club Hand and other internal complications…
Reflections from Laura Cox
Our twins were born 6 weeks early and were soon transferred from our local hospital to [SSM Health] Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. With help from the social worker at the…
Reflections from Kaela Woods, a mother who used the Ronald McDonald Family Room
We were blessed to stay at the Ronald McDonald house and use the facilities at Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis for multiple stays. We had our preemie twins Chase and…
Meet Charla Jestic
I was a “frequent flyer” patient of the pediatric unit at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis when I was surprisingly diagnosed with very severe Ulcerative Colitis. I showed up at…
The Mitchell Family stayed close at the West County Ronald McDonald House after Jailee’s terrifying accident
On October 17, 2019, fifteen-year-old Jailee Mitchell was rushed to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Mercy Hospital Springfield in Missouri after an all-terrain vehicle accident. For the next…
Allie’s parents found a home-away-from-home at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House
On November 26, 2004, Laurie Drees gave birth to her daughter, Allie, at St. Anthony’s hospital in Effingham, Illinois. Immediately after delivery, little Allie – weighing nearly two pounds –…
The Ronald McDonald Family Room kept a Wentzville family close when it mattered most
When Megan Smith checked into Progress West Hospital – where she normally spends her days as a nurse rather than a patient – for a scheduled C-section on August 2,…
Rowan’s parents found comfort in the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Amy and Tim Turner’s youngest son Rowan was born on September 7, 2010. During the one-month wellness check-up, his pedestrian discovered an irregularity in his little heart and sent the…