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Eliani Lawrence is a proud mother of four children. When Eliani was pregnant with her youngest child, Gigi, the family lived in Hawaii.

At 20 weeks pregnant, she got heartbreaking news: the left side of her baby’s heart wasn’t developing. Doctors said there was a chance to save her baby through surgeries, but Eliani would need to deliver in San Diego.

Eliani was scared for her baby’s survival and worried about what the future would hold. On top of that, she wondered how she could manage months away from home.

That’s when she found the Ronald McDonald House in San Diego, which became her home during Gigi’s long medical journey.

Eliani left Hawaii, leaving her older children with family, and stayed at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House.

It gave her a safe, supportive place to live while Gigi underwent surgeries and recovered. She could stay by her baby’s side, helping her through each step.

But after several months, it wasn’t looking good for Gigi. She needed a heart transplant. Then, at just 11 months old, Gigi received a new heart. Eliani felt an overwhelming sense of hope and gratitude.