When a child is facing a serious medical journey, everything changes in an instant.
For Addie and her family, that journey brought them to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester—a place that became so much more than a place to stay. It became a place to rest, to breathe, and to find moments of joy in the middle of the unknown.
In Their Own Words
Addie’s mom reflects on their time at the Ronald McDonald House:
Staying at the Ronald McDonald House became a place of true respite for our family—my husband, our two daughters, and me—after long, exhausting days at the hospital. It was also a place where our daughters could simply be kids—playing, exploring, and finding moments of normalcy and joy in the midst of everything we were walking through.
We stayed for 13 nights while our oldest daughter, Adelena (Addie), underwent open-heart surgery at Mayo for a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly. Throughout that time, we were surrounded by more support, care, and encouragement than we could have ever asked for. In a season that felt incredibly heavy, this place reminded us that we weren’t alone and that meant everything to us.
It was so incredibly helpful to have so many amenities available for our youngest daughter while her big sister was in the hospital. Having spaces where she could play, explore, and just be a kid made such a difference. Not having to worry about meals or keeping snacks on hand also lifted a huge weight for our whole family during an already challenging time.
Ronald McDonald House staff truly went above and beyond to connect with our family. Each time they saw us coming and going, they took a moment to check in and see how we were holding up. Their kindness and genuine care made us feel deeply supported.
Some of our favorite memories from our time here involve watching Addie experience so much joy in the midst of it all. On our very first full day—before her appointments, surgery, and hospitalization—she was determined to explore every single playroom and space. She had an absolute blast, and it was so special to watch her simply have fun and be a kid in that moment.
She also loved the tour when we first arrived so much that she began recreating it—taking every guest who came to visit us on their own personal tour of the house. Maybe she has a future working at the House someday!
We are so incredibly grateful for the comfort, care, and sense of community we experienced here. It made one of the hardest times in our lives just a little bit easier to carry.
A Place Where Family Stays
Families like Addie’s are able to focus on what matters most, their child, because they have a place to stay, a warm meal waiting, and a community surrounding them with care.
At the Ronald McDonald House, Family Stays means more than having a room for the night. It means staying together, staying supported, and staying strong through moments that feel anything but certain.
Family stays, even when everyone else goes home.
When the hospital day ends and the halls grow quiet, families remain close, supported, and together for whatever comes next.
For Addie’s mom, it meant having a place where her family could rest, where her daughters could still find moments of joy, and where they were reminded they were not alone.
Families stay because of the deep love they have for their child. They stay because they cannot imagine leaving their side.
And in those moments, the Ronald McDonald House is there to make sure they don’t have to.
Support families like Addie’s today.