When Drake needed brain surgery, the Lewis family faced one of the most frightening days of their lives. Just across the street from the hospital, San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House gave them a place to breathe.

Father’s Day 2024 took an unexpected, frightening turn when their son, Drake, was rushed to the emergency room.

After days of worsening illness, doctors discovered a mass in the 13-year-old’s brain and quickly transferred him to Rady Children’s Hospital, where parents Rachel and Donny braced for the surgery ahead.

While Drake was in surgery, Rachel and Donny waited just across the street at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House. Being so close to the hospital allowed them to step away from the clinical setting while staying connected to Drake and his medical team.

“The House was a sanctuary that day. It gave us a place to sit, breathe, and gather our strength.”
— Rachel, Drake’s mom

They sat quietly together, waiting. In the middle of a frightening day, the House offered simple comforts—a warm meal, a peaceful place to rest, and even the chance to take a long shower after hours of worry. The care and kindness they experienced that day were made possible by a community that believes families should never face a medical crisis alone.

Soon came the news the family had been hoping for: Drake’s tumor was not cancerous, and surgeons had successfully removed it.

Back on the Field

Drake spent the next weeks recovering at Rady Children’s Hospital, surrounded by expert care—and with the House just steps away supporting his parents.

“Before this happened, I didn’t really understand what the Ronald McDonald House offered,” Rachel says. “But everyone there understood exactly what we were going through.”

By fall, Drake was back where he loves to be: at school and on the field. Now a high school freshman, he plays both baseball and football and was even named Offensive Player of the Year this past season.

Looking back, Rachel says their family now has a phrase for everything Drake went through:

“A setback is a setup for a comeback.”

Today, life has returned to the everyday moments the Lewis family cherishes—cheering at games, camping together, and attending Padres games at Petco Park.

Rachel says their family will always be grateful for the care and comfort they found just steps from the hospital.

Because of San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House—and the community that makes it possible—families facing a child’s medical crisis can stay close, supported, and together when it matters most.