Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego

Contact Us|Get Email Updates
  • Services
    • Lodging
    • Meals
    • Family Care Center
    • Education & Enrichment
    • Stay With Us
      • Eligibility Information
      • What to Expect
      • Rules & Guidelines
      • Guest FAQs
  • Events
    • Events & Ways to Help
    • Raffles
    • Signature House Events
    • Community Events
    • Become a Sponsor
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Serve a Meal
    • Start a Campaign
    • Wish Lists
    • Group Opportunities
    • Other Ways to Help
  • Donate
    • Give Now
    • Monthly Giving
    • Giving Circles
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Planning Your Legacy
    • Give to a Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Staff
    • Our Community

Cheering for Kayla

Kayla with parents Russell and Tanysha Brown
Kayla with parents Russell and Tanysha Brown

Murrieta high-schooler Kayla Brown is a natural role model and trailblazer for her four younger sisters. She makes the most of life with school, sports, church, and travel. But last year, this strong sister faced an unwanted adversary: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

It was devastating. Kayla’s treatment began right away with six weeks at Rady Children’s Hospital, more than an hour from home.

In spite of their own tremendous anxiety about their daughter’s diagnosis, parents Tanysha and Russell Brown knew it was vital to help Kayla stay positive. “Learning of Kayla’s condition was a life changing experience,” says Tanysha. “We cried a lot. We wondered if something we’d done had caused it. Eventually, we realized that as a family, we needed to embrace it and be strong for each other.”

Finding relief in a safe and loving environment

The Ronald McDonald House helped the Browns stay strong for Kayla. According to Tanysha, it was an incredible relief to be able to sleep and take care of basic needs just a short walk from the hospital, rather than wasting precious hours in an exhausting commute. “The Ronald McDonald House provides a very safe and loving environment for families,” says Tanysha.

From the greeting at the front door to the smiles in the hallways, it all means so much.

Russell and Tanysha were thankful for the staff and volunteers who went out of their way to make sure they felt at home. The girls took part in summer camp activities, and the family enjoyed meals together and laughs in the game room. They valued the interfaith reflection room as a peaceful space for prayer and quiet thought.

After the first six weeks as an inpatient, Kayla returned for a day or two every other week for chemotherapy. She and her mom would stay at the House for these shorter stays while her dad held down the fort back at work and home. Kayla’s now down to even less frequent maintenance treatments.

Kayla misses her volleyball tournaments— she can’t play due to her chemotherapy port, and treatments reduce her energy and get in the way of teenage life. But she’s still her determined, outgoing, and kind self. She’s moving forward and facing her challenges with the best cheerleading squad she could have—her family, right at her side when it matters most.

Volunteer Be Our Guest Give

Events & Ways to Help

Support Meals for Families
January 1, 2021
Support Meals for Families
Jan 1, 2021 Shop and Support Ronald McDonald House through AmazonSmile
Jan 1, 2021 Donate To-Go Containers
Jan 7, 2021 Shop and Support Ronald McDonald House through Walmart
Jan 28, 2021 Nothing Bundt Cakes Benefit Day for RMHCSD
Feb 1, 2021 Current House Needs
See All Events

Around The House

40 Years of Keeping Families Close
40 Years of Keeping Families Close

Highlights of 40 Years Together It’s amazing what caring San Diegans have created to help …

Your Vehicle Donation Can Help Keep Families Together!
Your Vehicle Donation Can Help Keep Families Together!

Have a Car You Don’t Need? Donate It to Create Care for Families! Did you know that, on av …

A Home That Welcomes All Families
A Home That Welcomes All Families

San Diego Woman’s Club members in front of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Dieg …

See All News

Stories From Our Families

Emma Joy’s Journey
Emma Joy’s Journey
Declan’s Crew
Declan’s Crew
Together with Valeria
Together with Valeria
Cheering for Kayla
Cheering for Kayla
Crossing an Ocean for Milo
Crossing an Ocean for Milo
Cassandra and Her House, Then and Now
Cassandra and Her House, Then and Now
See More Stories

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Aryzta

Watkins Wellness

HME

Brady SoCal, Inc.

Signature Flight Support

PreviousNext

Stay Connected

Give NOW Learn more about our group and corporate opportunities Fundraisers

Contact Us | Careers | Press Room | Board Portal | Terms of Use | Privacy

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Diego
2929 Children's Way, San Diego, CA 92123

©RMHC.
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.