Stories From Our Families

When baby Victoria was born with serious heart problems, doctors planned a series of three corrective surgeries. Yet her condition declined, and she needed to be resuscitated twice. A donor heart was her best hope. At just two months old, Victoria received a new heart and a new chance at life. San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House kept Victoria’s family close when it mattered most. A private room and …

Gilbert Mendoza, Jr. had no idea how much love would come into his life when he became a dad. Gilbert and his daughter, Jaylene, live in Brawley, two hours east of San Diego in Imperial County. Jaylene is a sweetheart who loves to talk to everyone. He became worried when Jaylene said her back hurt, and she had bruises for no reason. Doctors sent them to San Diego, where she was diagnosed with acut …

Blake and Stephanie Booth are young pastors and parents to three active children who love reading and telling stories together. They were stunned when their oldest child, Emma Joy, was diagnosed with cancer at five years old. Emma needed immediate hospitalization, and she needed her parents at her side. Blake and Stephanie had nothing with them and no plans for staying overnight, let alone for an …

Unexpected News for Young Parents Carlsbad parents Eva and Kyle Stafford were at a prenatal checkup for their third child when they got some terrifying news: “Your baby’s lungs have fluid in them. We don’t know why. If they keep swelling, he’s not going to survive.” They were in shock. Their first two pregnancies had been easy. Now, they were being asked to prepare for in vitro surgery — an operat …

Valeria, in glasses, with big brother Armando Jr., mom Veronica, sister Viviana, and dad Armando Sr. Valeria is an old soul, according to her mother, Veronica Raymundo. At six years old, Valeria seemed wise beyond her years, with a calm and loving presence. She rarely complained. But Veronica and her husband, Armando, knew something was wrong when their daughter had a fever that just wouldn’t stay …

Murrieta high-schooler Kayla Brown (pictured above next to her dad) 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 si …

We’ve been delighted to get to know Milo Bingham and his parents over the years – this sweet boy is pictured here with his mom, Janet. But at his birth eight years ago, his parents  got terrible news: Milo had a rare, complex heart defect that needed immediate open heart surgery for the best chance at life.  And this advanced care wasn’t available at their Hawaii hospital. Crossing the ocean to sa …

Cassandra Junkin’s parents knew something was wrong when their usually cheerful four-year old was too listless to play. It was Valentine’s Day, and she had no interest in cards or sweets. Doctor’s visits and tests revealed the unthinkable: Cassandra had leukemia and needed treatment right away. That was 10 years ago, in 2007. Leticia and Don Junkin kept close to their daughter by staying at our or …

Like most families, videogame animator Sarah Barnes never expected to stay at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House. But when surgery for her daughter’s heart condition took a turn for the worse, the Ronald McDonald House was the home base that kept her going. Sarah adopted 4½-year-old Naya after a visit to China. This determined and inquisitive girl had survived many challenging transitions in her yo …

The Zimmer boys and their dad love science fiction, tabletop war games, and Pokémon. Scott’s a university librarian, and Sophia homeschools 17-year-old Andrés and 11-year-old Santiago. Santiago seemed low energy on a particularly hot July day. Then he was screaming in pain. After rushing to the emergency room, the family was shocked to learn that a tumor on Santiago’s liver had ruptured. They’d ne …