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

Declan’s Crew

November 15, 2019 by Marcy Rodin

Share This On

Declan’s Crew

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 operation on their baby while he was still in the womb.

Doctors went through Eva’s abdomen and into baby Declan’s back to put a shunt in his tiny lungs. Eva stayed under monitors in the hospital for three weeks until Declan wouldn’t hold back any longer. He entered the world and was rushed to intensive care. They couldn’t even hold him.

baby in NICU
Baby Declan in intensive care

A Time of Crisis

Declan was fragile, and his condition could change at any time. The Staffords couldn’t bear to leave him when he was struggling so hard to survive. But the rest of life kept going. Their son and daughter back home needed them, too. They traveled day and night from Carlsbad to the hospital, filled with anxiety, so very exhausted.

Their lives brightened when a room opened for them at the Ronald McDonald House. Everything they needed was on hand. Fresh meals prepared daily. It made life so much easier during an incredibly stressful time. Eva observes,

People at the Ronald McDonald House are willing to help you every step of the way.

New Peace of Mind

Staying close to the hospital gave the family more time together, instead of being stuck in traffic. Their older kids, Hailey and Aiden, could stay with them and even go to school at the House. Best of all, they had peace of mind, knowing they were just steps away from Declan.

The Ronald McDonald House helped the Staffords stay at Declan’s side to see what worked best in his care. They could advocate for him as nursing staff changed with each shift. Eva was available to Declan for regular feedings to help him grow stronger.

After a month in the hospital, Declan was strong enough to go home. His lungs look good now, and he’s growing bigger by the day. Declan’s birth brought unexpected blessings to the family.

“We are grateful and appreciate the small things, because you never know when it can all change.”

Comments

See All Stories
Volunteer Be Our Guest Give

Events & Ways to Help

Virtual Red Shoe Day
June 3, 2021
Virtual Red Shoe Day
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
Feb 1, 2021 Greatest House Needs
Feb 1, 2021 Food Drives
See All Events

Around The House

Donate Containers for Meals
Donate Containers for Meals

Each day we serve more than 250 family meals and to-go meals for families not staying with …

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 …

See All News

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Legoland

Pacific Building Group

McDonald’s Inc

Watkins Wellness

KYOCERA International

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.