Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego


Contact Us|Get Email Updates
Give Now
  • 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
  • Ways to Give
    • Give Now
    • Monthly Giving
    • Giving Circles
    • Corporate & Community
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Planning Your Legacy
    • Give Appreciated Securities
    • Other Ways to Give
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Trustees
    • Staff
    • Our Community

Cheering for Kayla

April 14, 2018 by Marcy Rodin

Share This On

Cheering for Kayla

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 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.

Comments

See All Stories
Volunteer Be Our Guest Give

Events & Ways to Help

Red Shoe Day | May 21, 2025 | 7:00-9:30am
March 5, 2025
Red Shoe Day | May 21, 2025 | 7:00-9:30am
Jan 1, 2025 Choose Your Way to Support RMHC-San Diego in 2025
Jan 1, 2025 Share Your Story and Inspire Others!
May 10, 2025 Shop for Mom and Support RMHCSD
May 16, 2025 Mardi Gras in May
May 17, 2025 Play Pickleball and Help Families with Hospitalized Children
See All Events

Around The House

St. Patrick’s Day Fun
St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Thanks to our friends at SDG&E, families at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House had a sh …

Looking Back at 2024
Looking Back at 2024

In 2024, families with hospitalized children found much-needed comfort and care at San Die …

Holiday Happenings
Holiday Happenings

Santa’s Workshop Brightens the Holidays for our Families The holidays can be especially to …

See All News

Thank You to Our Sponsors

TCWGlobal

McDonald’s Inc

Smart & Final

Apple, Inc.

HME

PreviousNext

Stay Connected

Give NOW

Contact Us | Careers | Financials | 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.

Charity Navigator 4 start