11/15/2025
If you are looking for a worthy cause to donate to, please consider the Ronald McDonald House. There is one here within the hospital, and it has made this journey so much more bearable. It's down the hall from the PICU, and families of PICU and NICU patients have 24hr access. There are big, nice bathrooms with showers, towels, every toiletry you could need, a variety of types of seating, a mini library, and you can book sleeping rooms. There's a beautiful fully stocked kitchen--food, pots and pans, and industrial refrigerators full of food that you can help yourself too. Groups of volunteers come in and cook real, delicious food and serve it at least every evening. Then they package the leftovers and leave them so you can go eat at any time of the day, or grab something quick and get back to your child. All of this is free and easily accessible. These things make all the difference in a parent's sanity. It's easy to dismiss self-care when your child is critically ill, but they make it so easy and comfortable. This place matters. In addition to monetary donations, they joyfully accept any donations of goods, such as snacks, foods, frozen dinners, disposable dishes and utensils, laundry detergent and dryer sheets, dish soap, toiletries. There are no brand restrictions or anything, they give out whatever they receive.
