Help Jen raise money

I’m participating in the RMHC Family Walk to raise funds to support the Ronald McDonald House and the services they provide for families, like mine. I have experienced the powerful impact of RMHC through our family's journey which has included a hospital stay for each of our 2 kids.  We truly know the value of the services RMHC provides after one experience with, and one without RMHC support.  We want to make sure they can continue to provide all that they do, so please help us support RMHC and the families they serve!

My first pregnancy (with Jayce) involved some challenges and after he was born doctors heard a heart murmur. After getting an echocardiogram Jayce was found to have congenital heart defects including a VSD (hole in the heart) that was unknown prenatally. After leaving the hospital we were set up with cardiology and pediatrician visits.  Jayce had an another cardiology recheck when he was 5 weeks old with a repeat echo. At that time we were told that we could not go home from that appointment, but that instead Jayce would need to be admitted to the ER and transferred via ambulance over to the cardiac ICU at Childrens Hospital in Minneapolis. With this new scan the doctor discovered an additional heart defect (coarctation of the aorta) that was previously undiagnosed.  It was severe and causing decreased heart function. Jayce underwent a surgical repair for his aorta and that was when we learned about RMHC and all their supportive services.  We stayed with Jayce at the hospital and were able to escape for short periods of time to the Ronald McDonald House that is located within Childrens Hospital.  We were able to get snacks, meals, and a feeling of home. It was truly a blessing and we are forever grateful!

My second pregnancy (with Johonna) was closely monitored after our experiences with Jayce.  Johonna was diagnosed as growth restricted at 28weeks which resulted in closer monitoring throughout the remainder of the pregnancy and an early scheduled arrival. Due to her low birth weight she was admitted directly into the NICU.  Our first few days were spent mostly apart until I was discharged then we moved up into her room.  During our 10 day stay we were not in a hospital that had a Ronald McDonald House within it.  We had nowhere to escape, no provided meals or snacks, no feeling of home, and no good place to have our son visit with us (he was not allowed into the NICU due to his age).  It was a much harder experience without those small comforts that actually have a huge impact.  It really reinforced the feeling of how important RMHC is to us and so many other families because it makes a world of difference in a time that no parent should ever have to experience.

Thanks for reading my story. Please consider joining us in supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities to help families from across the Midwest by donating today. The Ronald McDonald House was such a blessing to us - the free meals and place to go is invaluable and I can't image it not continuing to be there for more families who need it. We are so excited to join the walk to support this organization, give back, and celebrate how far we have come as a family!