Home is anywhere we are together, and together we can do anything. That’s our family motto, says Erin Meredith. Here’s a message she has for Ronald McDonald House supporters:

Imagine being a parent of four energetic boys, ranging from age 3 to 15. Our second eldest, Jake, was born with Klippel-Trenaunay (KT) Syndrome, a rare congenital condition that causes blood and lymph vessels to form abnormally. Because of this, Jake has spent much of his childhood in and out of hospitals.

When Jake was 11, he was admitted once again for an injury that wouldn’t heal. The two of us were separated from my husband and Jake’s brothers for weeks, surrounded by the beeping of hospital machines and the constant worry that comes with being far from home.

Then, just nine days before Christmas, our worst nightmare came true. Jake suffered a pulmonary embolism, followed by two back-to-back heart attacks. The hospital team worked tirelessly to save him. In those darkest hours of fear and exhaustion, I felt utterly alone. I remember thinking, Who will take care of me?  

And then came a call I will never forget: a room was waiting for us at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House, just steps from Jake’s bedside. Even more incredible, my husband and our other three boys could stay, too. For the first time in weeks, and just in time for Christmas, we could be a family again.

As Jake began to heal, our family was able to recover, too.  

Together For the Holidays at the House

The Ronald McDonald House provided so much more than a place to stay. It gave us warm meals, Christmas gifts for our children, and a community of people who understood what we were going through. Most of all, it gave us something priceless: comfort, togetherness, and hope when everything felt impossible.

For 36 days, the House was our home, right next to Jake’s bedside, allowing us to focus on his care while staying close as a family.  

Today, Jake is 15 and fully recovered from that terrifying chapter. While his KT Syndrome requires lifelong care, we are profoundly thankful that we had the Ronald McDonald House to help us through the hardest time of our lives. I feel so fortunate that donors like you make this possible, for my family and for so many others.

Thank You!

Thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and your belief in keeping families close when it matters most. Though our stories may differ, every family that walks through those doors shares one thing in common: we are deeply grateful for you.

Warmly,

Erin Meredith

You Can Help

You can help families like the Merediths who need to stay together near their hospitalized child, this holiday season and beyond.