Family Stories

Breyleigh’s story began when her mom, Kelsey, received the news that Breyleigh would be born with a hole in her heart. “They said she wasn’t going to make it and asked me if I wanted to keep the baby,” Kelsey explains. But after Breyleigh was born, she continued to fight for months to come, surprising…

This summer, we’re honored to share the story of two sisters, Lilly and Lyla, as told by their mother, Toni. Staying at RMHCA has been wonderful. It allows us to be close to our infant, Lyla, whom is being cared for at Children’s of Alabama. It saves us from spending money on a place to…

One of our former guest families visited us recently with an amazing gift! An-Mei stayed with us last year and has spent several months collecting donations to support RMHCA. It was wonderful to see how she is doing and during her visit, presented us with more than $700 and we couldn’t be more grateful! Our mission…

Four-year-old LJ is a lot like other kiddos you might know. She adores her siblings, playing with her friends and having fun. LJ’s mom, Joelle, says her smile and laugh are infectious. This was clear to us the day that the Fairview High School varsity girls’ basketball team visited Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama to bring LJ…

Here at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, we like to share updates when possible on how some of our families are progressing in their healing. We are happy to share some big news from Nicholas Welch! Those who have been following his story know that 13-year-old Nicholas found out in 2016 that he needed…

We’re often asked what Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama can do for families. For Tiffany’s family, we give them a safe place to stay when the alternative is sleeping on an air mattress set up in their family vehicle. Born premature, Tiffany fought through a heart condition, underdeveloped lungs and a submucous palate. She…

If you were to think of YOUR story .. where might it begin? Kendall’s begins long before she was born and as you will learn is a story that almost didn’t happen. Kendall’s parents, Laura and Frank got married in 2007. They knew very early only that Laura had Poly cystic Ovaries and conception would…

Join us as we get to know one of our 2017 Red Shoe Run Teams, Super Cooper. We sat down with team captain, Rebecca, to ask her a few questions. See what we found out below! Tell us about your team. What’s behind the name “Team Super Cooper?” This team was formed in memory of…

The Hamilton’s have been involved with McDonald’s for what seems like their entire lives. Content and Rusty have owned McDonald’s in the Birmingham area for many years. Their family has always been actively involved in the community and always supported Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. In 2016, their involvement with the charity changed. It…

On any given summer day in Alabama, you can find kids playing with the sprinklers, enjoying a slip-n-slide or hanging out at the neighborhood pool. When temperatures are high and school is out, there’s no better way to spend your time. That’s just how 5-year-old Mollie was spending her time in late July. The Ford’s had…

We previously shared a day in the life of one of our guests, Nicholas, with you. This 13-year-old boy is staying with us while he waits for a heart transplant. While you saw what his typical day is like, we wanted to share some special moments, too. A lot has changed in Nicholas’ life over…

Nicholas Welch is not your typical 13-year-old boy. Until 3 months ago, he would have said he was just a normal kid, but on July 26th, 2016, his life took a turn. It was on that day, after 6 hours in the ER, he learned he would be going to Children’s of Alabama via an…

When Penelope, ‘Penny’ as her friends call her, was told she would have to come to Birmingham for therapy, she didn’t know what to expect. Not many 9-year-olds would. Penny and her family live in Hobbs, New Mexico, a fifteen-hour drive by car from Children’s of Alabama, where she would receive her treatment.  None the…

At just four months old, Jashawn Howard started showing symptoms of being sick – his skin was pale, his eyes were weak, and he had labored breathing. Concerned, Rashundra, Jashawn’s mom, immediately took him to the Emergency Room at Phoenix City Medical Center. The doctors in the ER ran a series of tests, but were…

Victoria Johnson, Farriah’s mom, shared the following story with the Ronald McDonald House. When we realized we would have to make the 2+ hour drive to Children’s of Alabama for Farriah’s multiple surgeries, countless therapy sessions, and constant doctor appointments… we were left in disbelief. It seemed impossible. How were we going to do this?…