JANUARY 2020
Yours From Our House to
FAMILY STORY The Davidson Family Melinda and Luke Davidson first learned about the mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley through a volunteer project during their time at Concordia College. Little did they know, that mission would impact their lives for many years to come. While pregnant with her fifth child,
Melinda Davidson was placed on bed
rest due to preterm contractions. After a month, she was rushed from their
home in Menahga, MN, via ambulance to Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo for an emergency cesarean section. Six weeks early, Melinda and Luke
welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Jacob, into their lives. Jacob was immediately
admitted into the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU) due to his early arrival, leaving his parents in a whirlwind of
emotions; they were excited for Jacob to join their family, but the early arrival left
them overwhelmed, underprepared, and struggling to get their feet under them. Melinda and Luke were 87 miles away
from home and needed to find a place to stay while they helped Jacob grow. Their doctors advised them that skin
to skin contact and quality time were the best ways they could help their
baby. The burden of finding a place to
stay that was close to the hospital but
“
We love to share about RMHC whenever we can because we know the amazing impact it had on us and others,
”
also affordable was lifted from Melinda
the hospital throughout the day, ensuring
reminded of the Ronald McDonald
the way as he grew stronger and learned
and Luke’s shoulders when they were
one parent was with Jacob every step of
House Charities of the Red River Valley.
to eat without help from machines. Luke
The Davidsons felt at ease as they
at the House were crucial for his family. He
the next 17 days. They took turns visiting
the House, and instead of skipping supper
walked into their temporary “home” for
said that the meals provided by volunteers was often able to run from the hospital to
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