Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My entire family owes so much thanks and gratitude to the RMHC. My niece and her husbands (Kylah & Victor) world was turned upside down when they found out during a routine ultrasound that their first unborn baby girl was diagnosed with CPAM. A congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a mass of abnormal fetal lung tissue that forms during pregnancy. This mass, or lesion, is usually located in one lung and it does not function as normal lung tissue. Lesions vary in size and appearance and can change significantly during the pregnancy. This rare birth defect happens in 1 in 25,000 pregnancies and is more common in males. 

Their doctors back home in New Mexico were not familiar or able to monitor and treat the unborn baby so they were referred to Colorado Childrens Hospital where they ended up having to stay permanently for the remainder of the pregnancy to closely monitor with 2-3 weekly ultrasounds and other scans and interventions if needed at any time. 

This all took place when Covid was at its start/peak so it did not make the situation any easier with travel and work restrictions. Victor ended up having to take unpaid leave and Kylah eventually lost her job since they were permanently living in Colorado. They initially stayed in a hotel but thanks to hospital social workers they were able to get in contact with the RMHC and they had availability for them to stay. RMHC provided them a safe and free place to stay taking a lot of financial worries off the couple so they could just focus on their unborn baby girl and the journey ahead. The Aurora house was a short drive to the hospital where all their appointments and future delivery would take place. 

Emeries case was severe but doctors monitored closely all the way to delivery. Emerie was born June 24, 2020. After 7 short days back home in NM Emerie began showing signs of respiratory distress resulting in an emergency flight back to Colorado Childrens Hospital for my niece and her baby girl. Her husband and my sister drove immediately to meet them back in Denver since only one parent was allowed on the plane. Doctors performed emergency surgery on Emerie at only 2 weeks old, removing 2/3 of her right lung. After a month and a half stay in the NICU they were released to return back home with Emerie on a feeding tube and oxygen. 

Fast forward to today, Emerie is a beautiful, healthy, active, and brave almost 3 year old with a new title as Big Sister to add to her list of accomplishments. She is no longer on oxygen and got her feeding tube removed. Without RMHC my niece and her husband would have not been able to financially afford to stay out in Colorado as long as they did especially not working.

When families have a seriously ill child and need to seek medical care far from their own homes, they can turn to Ronald McDonald House Charities to find a home away from home.  At no cost. For as long as treatment takes.  More than just shelter, Ronald McDonald Houses provide security, comfort and care.  They are places where laughter is shared, friendships are formed, and hope is nurtured and I am so honored and excited to raise money to support RMHC and all they do.