2014 RMHC DC Newsletter: Avery's Story

Lo e Notes Fall 2014

How you are helping to keep families of seriously ill children together.

“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

At a regular check-up, Angel was told she needed to get to INOVA Fairfax hospital as soon as possible because her twins, Aubrey and Avery, were coming early. Her husband JR drove them the 207 miles from their home in West Virginia to the hospital.

volunteers, and other families are always here for you.

“It’s just so welcoming I’ve never felt like a burden at the Ronald McDonald House.”

Three days later, at just five and a half months pregnant, Angel delivered two baby girls, Aubrey and Avery. The sisters were born at 1.2 and 1.3 pounds - doctors gave them less than 20% chance of survival.

A Home-Away-from-Home After the girls were born, Angel and JR came to stay with us at Ronald McDonald House (RMH).

JR had to return to West Virginia for work and Angel was distraught at the thought of going through this by herself.

On her first tour of RMH, Angel broke down and shared her fears.

Our House Manager assured her that when you’re staying at RMH, you’re never alone because staff,

Angel says that assurance not only comforted her then, but the truth of it comforts her now.

After staying with us for eight months, Angel says, “I’m really sad to leave. It’s just so welcoming! I’ve never felt like a burden and the people here have become my best friends and family.”

Calling on Angels When Aubrey was two days old, the doctor called Angel and JR to the NICU. The doctor said Aubrey would not make it through the night. In a daze, they accepted his offer to baptize her and she spent the remaining minutes of her life in the loving arms of her parents.

Avery is now a happy eight-month old waiting to be taken off of oxygen so she can go home!

fingerprint for Angel to wear so Aubrey would always be close to her heart. Full of sorrow over the loss of their baby girl, Angel and JR still had a long road to recovery with Avery.

Eight Months They turned their attention and prayers to their frail daughter who had lungs as thin as tissue paper, failing eyes, and an open heart valve.

The hospital staff made a pendant necklace with Aubrey’s

(continues on page 4)

INSIDE: Helping Rico Make His Dreams Comes True 3727 14th Street NE

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Washington, D.C. 20017

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(202) 529-8204

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www.rmhcdc.org

Healing Happens Together

Our Mission Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. eases the hardship of children’s illness on families through programs that help children heal faster, cope better, and stay healthy.

A Message from Executive Director, Karen Torres

®

2014 Board of Directors Mary T. Orzechowski

Chair

Chris Chatman

Vice Chair

Julie L. Jones

Treasurer

Harry J. Pilson, II

Secretary

Ryan S. Whittier

Celine J. Crowson Jason G. Everett Patricia A. Ferrick Kerri Johnson Cindy Levine Ilene L. Levine James F. Norris Dennis W. Prescott Heather Russell Brenda ShepherdVernon Rhiannon Swanson Neva Van Valkenburg

Member at Large

Contact Information RMHC of Greater Washington, D.C. E-mail: info@rmhcdc.org Website: www.rmhcdc.org Connect: www.facebook.com/RMHCofDC Washington, DC Ronald McDonald House 3727 14th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017 Phone: (202) 529-8204 Northern VA Ronald McDonald House 3312 Gallows Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042 (On the campus of INOVA Fairfax Hospital) Phone: (703) 698-7080 Avery’s Story: “Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce,” continues on

page 4.

Avery

For more pictures of Avery, visit rmhcdc.org.

Dear Loyal Supporter, We’ve always known that the best medicine for a seriously ill child is their family’s love.

Now, recent studies are confirming that family support helps sick kids feel better, faster. Sick children cope better and heal faster when family is nearby because they don’t feel as lonely or scared.

When they’re surrounded with the love and support of family, these kids can focus on the most important thing – getting better!

Thanks to you, the families who come to us, exhausted from nights spent by their child’s hospital bed, have a place to rest and call home.

During their most difficult times, you provide a home-away-from-home for families that can’t afford the cost of a hotel. You make it possible for them to be with their children.

When a sick child is fighting for their life, having Mom or Dad there can make all the difference. That’s how we know that your gifts truly help sick children. You help give kids the strength and love they desperately need by keeping their families nearby.

Thank you for helping families face their toughest days together.

Thank you for your continued generosity.

Sincerely,

Family L♥ve Notes “Leaving my Ronald McDonald house after nearly nine months is so bittersweet. I love this place, the memories my family has made here and the friendships that happen between these walls. A place so close to my heart... Thank you for treating me like family, I will miss you all tremendously.” “[We loved] everything!! You helped when we needed it the most! We are forever grateful!!”

“Thank you to all the staff and volunteers for making this house a home away from home.

Without it we couldn’t afford a hotel which would mean we would have to be separated for long periods. The difference this has made cannot be put into a large enough pot of thanks. ” “You made my daughter comfortable and safe. She was so happy it wasn’t like a “hospital room.”

We were able to connect with families dealing with the same devastating diseases like us. ”

For more information visit www.rmhcdc.org

Connect:

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMHCofDC

Follow us on Twitter: @RMHCofGreaterDC

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, D.C.

addresses the most urgent need of our community – children’s health. We are dedicated to improving children’s access to quality health care through our three core programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and the KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic/Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

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825 19

scholarships

awarded to 2013 freshman. Read Rico’s story on page 6.

families served in our Houses in 2013

1,750

average

days

stayed

U.S. Families Served in 2013

West Virginia, 63

2013 to under-served kids in DC Wards 5-8

Since 1980, over

Virginia, 303

Maryland, 264 South Carolina, 14 Other, 168

New Jersey, 13

3,572

free health care visits in

167

thousand nights served

volunteer hours served in 2013

28

grants given to non-profits

serving the needs of children in our community. Funds come from the generous McDonald’s Owner Operators serving the Greater Washington, D.C. area.

Five Ways You Can Help Change a Child’s Life 1. Give the Gift of Health & Hope – Right from Your Desk! Please designate Ronald McDonald House

Charities® of Greater Washington, D.C., CFC#15005, MCC #2018, or DC One Fund #8961 on your pledge card.

P.S. If your agency would like a speaker for their workplace giving event, please call Claudia at (703) 698-7080.

2. Hold a Wish List Drive. See our Wish list on the back cover. For a full list, visit us online and click on “How Can I Help?” www.rmhcdc.org

3. Pull for the House. Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about giving and recycling.

4. Leave a Legacy of Hope. One way you can help tomorrow is to remember us in your estate planning today. Visit www.rmhcpghome.org/dc for more information.

5. Donate your Change. Drop your change in donation boxes at local McDonald’s. Your small change makes a big difference to our little ones.

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(continued from front)

Supporters in Action Keeping The House that Love Built Standing

“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

In the eight months that they’ve been with us, Avery has endured heart surgery, experimental eye treatments, surgery to insert a G-tube for feeding, a brain bleed scare, and three months of ventilation.

Appropriately, the inscription on her crib at home says, “Though she be but small, she is fierce.” Avery’s underdeveloped lungs are scarred so badly that even at eight months old, she can’t breathe on her own. In order to get her through this last battle, Avery needs to see specialists in another state. It’s scary for Angel to be going even farther from home, but she’s grateful there’s a Ronald McDonald House near the hospital so that she can find the kind of community and support she has here.

“I love this place - the memories my family has made here and the friendships that happen between these walls.”

Avery’s doctors think she’ll be home for the first time since being born just in time for her first birthday in December. She is one fierce little girl. And she is fiercely loved.

Clark Construction Group, LLC & Shirley Contracting Co., LLC are truly great assets to our Northern Virginia RMH. They have done everything from fixing rotten wood and building stone walls to preparing meals. Clark performed renovations to make more usable space for the House. In addition, on the first Thursday of every month, Clark makes a wonderful meal for our families.

Each year Shirley donates time and resources to the House for a large project. Since 2012, they’ve provided more than $32,000.00 in combined support. Thank you for your ongoing gifts of time, talent, and heart!

McDonald’s & The Washington Nationals McDonald’s hosted a McD Nats Day at National’s Park on July 5th that was dedicated to RMHC DC. You may remember Forrest from our Spring mailing? He was there with his family and his mom Tonia threw the first pitch!

Other friends and family of RMHC DC participated in the starting nine and batting practice where they met the players. Earlier in June, infielder Kevin Frandsen visited 25 children at the Ronald McDonald Family Room on the Oncology/Hematology floor of Children’s National.

He also went room by room to see kids too sick to leave their room. Thank you for making a difference to seriously ill children and their families!

Tee Off for Tots

Thank you for keeping Avery’s family together

photo First family

Avery’s brothers and sister visit her through the glass in her isolation unit.

Bob Drumheller and his daughter Robyn Griffith started the Tee Off for Tots golf tournament in 2007 to benefit RMHC DC. Bob has been part of the McDonald’s family for over 40 years and is celebrating his 35th anniversary as an Owner-Operator this year. Tee Off for Tots started with 16 teams at a local golf resort but has since moved to a larger country club to accommodate 32 teams! More than 20 players have been playing in the tournament since the first year. In 7 years, the Drumhellers and Griffiths have raised over $80,000.00 for families in need.

Thank you for your continued support and congratulations on your 35th anniversary, Bob!

For more pictures of Avery and her family, visit www.rmhcdc.org

Special Events

The 4th Annual Red Shoe 5k took place on Sunday, March 30th at Dulles Station in Herndon, VA. Hundreds of supporters of all ages joined Ronald McDonald himself to raise their feet to raise hope for healing families!

Thank you to AXA Advisors for sponsoring the Water Station.

More than 20 kids joined the Kid’s Fun Run to proudly earn a medal.

The crowd enjoyed zumba, yoga, vendors, a moon bounce, and more!

Team Van Management in Memory of Carol Van Valkenburg was awarded prizes for the Largest Team.

Team Created a Monster was awarded prizes for the Most Funds Raised By a Team. Thelma Moss raised the most money for an individual.

Thank you to everyone who made this year a success! You raised over $30,000, which goes directly to our programs. Join us for the 5k next year on May 17, 2015!

A big thank you to all of the participants, touring pros, and sponsors that joined us for the 30th Anniversary Pro-Am Golf Tournament on June 23rd.

Title Sponsor McDonald’s Owner Operators of Greater Washington, DC; Platinum Sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC; and many more enjoyed swinging alongside the pros to support families of seriously ill children.

This event has enjoyed the long-standing support of Martin-Brower, Fitzgerald and Co., McCain Foods, and Coca-Cola North America. Special thanks to Skip Tendall, Ray Chappell, and Rick Greenwood - originators for the tournament. Thank you to Deborah McCune, who has chaired the Pro-Am Committee for two wonderful years.

Thank you to these and our other sponsors for the years of support and for making this final Pro-Am possible!

Full Circle: Rico Lizbinski, 2013 Scholarship Winner Years ago, while Rico’s sister Tiffany was recovering in the hospital, he and his mother slept in two chairs in Tiffany’s room. They were saved from this uncomfortable sleeping arrangement by the Washington, D.C. Ronald McDonald House. Later, when the family’s finances were tight after his sister needed several more hospital stays, Rico turned to Ronald McDonald House Charities for help again.

Rico Lizbinski was a talented and intelligent local high school graduate who hoped to attend Brown University. To realize his dream, he needed a scholarship. Due to his outstanding grades and commitment to the community, he was chosen to receive the Ronald McDonald House Charities HACER National Scholarship for $100,000!

We proudly celebrate Rico’s triumph and want to share his story here with you: My sister, Tiffany, has Cerebral Hypotonia, a severe brain disorder, that requires daily one-on-one attention, specially fitted apparel, and specific meals. Additionally, Tiffany’s has endured intensive chemotherapy for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, which has created even more financial burden for my mother.

While my sister was in the hospital being treated, my mother and I frequently slept in the stiff chairs in her miniscule and depressing room. However Ronald McDonald House reached out and offered a free and comfortable home near the Children’s Medical Center.

My family and I are extremely thankful. We are still struggling to make it to the end of each week and college tuition is a financial burden which my family simply cannot handle. The Ronald McDonald House Charities HACER Scholarship will allow me to attend college and further my educational horizons. I am extremely excited that I won the RMHC Scholarship Thank you!

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Thank you for helping

FAMILIES HEAL TOGETHER Donors June 16th, 2013 - June 16th, 2014 $100,000+ McDonald’s Loyal Customers, Greater Washington DC McDonald’s Owner Operators of Greater Washington, DC

Rockin’ for Ronald/ The Klug Family McDonald’s, Montoya Management Missiontix.com LLC National Student Clearinghouse Sheila G Brands, LLC $10,000 to $24,999 The Clark Acumen Solutions, Construction Group, Inc. LLC Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Truven Health Pi Chapter, GWU Analytics Carlozo & Company Donors at the $1,000 to $4,999 McDonald’s 3M Inspiration A. M. Lawson Celebration Gospel Aaron and Cecile Tour at Ebenezer Goldman Family AME Church Foundation La-Z-Boy American Assn. of Martin-Brower State Highway and McCain Foods, Inc. Transportation Our House Officials Pulte Homes, American Legion Washington Division Brandywine Post Russell W. Coe #277 Six Flags America Amy’s Army, Inc. The Birk Family Anna H. Hall Foundation Charitable Lead The Road Gang Unitrust Van Management, Inc. Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc. $5,000 to $9,999 Arnold & Porter Coca Cola North AXA Foundation America Bender Foundation Comcast SportsNet Benjamin Leung Mid-Atlantic Bette J. Mader Craig McCune Billie Shaddix Davis Elen Advertising Blake Cogbill Dell Corporate Giving Bonner, Kiernan, Fitzgerald and Trebach & Crociata Company Booster

Byron Hartshorn Charles Cocke Community Health Charities of the National Capital Area Courtney Harris Damascus High School Daniel L. Smith Davenport & Company LLC David Natysin David Shiben Dianne Robinson Digital Office Products Dorinda W. Burroughs Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Engineering and Technical Consultants, Inc. Fru-Con Foundation Geoffrey Evans George R. Durham Harry J. Pilson Herbert G. Reines Imagen Records Inovalon James F. Norris Joseph J. Bross Judith Giles Judith Toscano Karen Beardsley Keystone Foods Corporation Kohl’s L-3 National Security Solutions, Inc. Lauren Boyle Lisa Jones Margaret A. Tribby Mark O. Decker Martin Micklin McDonald’s, A. Boxley

McDonald’s, Drumheller McDonald’s, Levine McDonald’s, Rardin McDonald’s, Welburn Management McEntire Produce, Inc. Microsoft - Pentagon City Microsoft Giving Campaign Microsoft, Tysons Corner Miles & Stockbridge MillerCoors Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Kikuchi Patricia A. Ferrick Peterson Family Foundation Plumbers Local Union No. 5 Robert Meurer Ruth Emery Ryan S. Whittier Secretary Of The Air Force Financial Management Social Cluster Stellar Solutions Foundation Sudhaker Shenoy Taylor Farms TD Bank Ted Leonsis The Bama Companies The Benevity Community Impact Fund The Community Foundation for the National Capital

Region Thomas J. Goodwin Timothy J. Healy Timothy Pritchett T-Mobile Valley Automation, Inc. Widgeon Foundation William H. Baker William Lloyd William Moran Zurich American Insurance Company $500 to $999 Aetna, Inc. Allan Assel American Highway Users Alliance American Road and Transportation Builders Association American Traffic Safety Services Assn.

Andrews Kurth LLP Anthony Olekson Asian-American Christian Fellowship Associated General Contractors of America Association Of Equipment Manufacturers AVE Dulles Bernard V. Rawlins Bethany Spencer Beverly Kelley Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation INC Carolynn Stevens Celine J. Crowson

Cheryl Hammes Cheryl Sweigard Chesapeake High School, Class of 1993 Children’s National Medical Center Corey Coleman Cyrus Baghelai David J. Ebert Ganttman Enterprises Gap Foundation Gary Daigle Geico Philanthropic Foundation Great Buffalo Wings Corp.

Harmon Wales Herb Block Foundation Hunter Payne Jack Armstrong Jason G. Everett Joanna Downing Joe McGonigle John F. Welch John Shama Karen Curley Keith E. Costley Kids Can Give Too Larry E. Shapiro Laura Burke Lemon Road Elementary School Lichtenberg Family Foundation, Inc. Mark Deder Mary E. McGlone Mary T. Orzechowski McDonald’s, RAHE, Inc. McDonald’s, Rhee Michael Pfeifer Michael T. Savino Neil Mitchell Nick Spring Nino R. Vaghi Foundation Proskauer Rose LLP Robbies First Base, Inc. Robert Cartwright Robert Madero Robert Nabors Ryan Lovin St. Bernadette Catholic Church and School Stacey Andrews Stephen Huntoon Tammy Pierce

Terry Herrmann The Gable Signs Foundation for a Brighter Future The Kiplinger Foundation The Kiplinger Washington Editor’s, Inc. Thomas C. Schipper Thomas P. Toole Tom Lawrence Washington Speakers Bureau Goods and Services $25,000 to $49,999 The Clark Construction Group, LLC INOVA Health System $10,000 to $24,999 Select Comfort Thirty One Gifts Voice Associates, LLC $5,000 to $9,999 Goode Heating & Air Conditioning Lumber Liquidators, Store #1016 Nike Shirley Contracting Company, LLC $1,000 to $4,999 Adonai Consultants, Inc. Bank of America Group Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation INC Boy Scout Troop 663 Brand Source Cameron Rush Children’s National Medical Center Coca Cola North America Coin Mach David Maloney Dean F. Morehouse Dell Corporate Giving Dinesh Kakwani Ecolab Eric S. Francis Foresters

Georgia Pacific Corporation Heather Sullivan Hercules Fence IKEA Inovalon Jim Albus Joe Maslick Kari Swenson La-Z-Boy Marriott International Martin Brower Microsoft - Pentagon City National Association of Power Engineers, MD #5 Norman B. Reich Olson Business Solutions Roetzel & Andress LPA The Brickman Group Ltd. The Ground Guys of Potomac Hills Well Dunn Catering

Jester and Pharley Phund JMA Solutions Laureate Beta Epsilon Leonard Keilin Mary T. Orzechowski Max Construction Company, Inc. McDonald’s Corporation Melissa Ward Microsoft Donation Program Microsoft, Tysons Corner Murray Horwitz Nancy Naeser Premium Distributors of Virginia Quin Sullivan Regina Gibson Scott Benner Sheila G Brands, LLC Sofitel Hotel, Washington D.C. Spark The Wave Titan America $500 to $999 Waste Management of Northern Virginia A T & T Wi Fi Services Windward IT Alice Deal Middle Solutions School Artists for Harmony Memorial Bozzuto Group “The Whitney at Bethesday “I put your name in Theatre” my heart and forever Brittany Bradley it will stay.”

Chris Frangione Church Of Jesus Of Benjamin Chambers Latter-Day Saints, Betsy Murphy Great Falls Fourth Billie Jennean Shaddix Ward Bob Robinson Country Club of Brandon Scott Minter Fairfax Brett Bryant Direct Connect Brian Redmond Ethan Snyder Caitlin O’Haver Fast Signs of Carol Van Valkenburg Washington DC Charles A. Lawson Gary Glover David Packard Girl Scout Troop 6809 David Pope Hewlett PackardDavid Ross Angel Consulting And Intel Deb Grimley Segment Dennis P. Sterling II Hilton Hotel and Dini Parnell Conference Center Dolly Gilliam Hiwa Alaghebandian Edna Jo Major Hydro-Tech Irrigation Esperanza Sara Iam Snyder Evangelista Montesa Ethel Tanner

Evelyn Jefferson Fox Geoffrey Coleman McKeon Israel Jumminia Jack O’Hare Jennifer Wysocki Joey Angel Joy Parrish Krystopher TapscottPartsch Kyle Michael Phelps Lauren E. Reines Leann Hauptman Lili Shuman “Little Jake” Lucy Davis Margaret Landers Martha A. Bradley Martha Sue Burnett Mary Jane Sommer Nathan Morehouse Miller Reece Edward Andercyk Rich Walker Rick Stabo Sara LaBoskey Sara Montesa Shelly Reed Shirley and Gerald Pearl Sidney Yon Taylor Ciampa

Thanks to you, thousands of families know comfort, support, financial relief, improved access to medical care, and the healing that happens when a family is together during one of the toughest times of their life.

The generosity, love, and support you show is felt deeply by every one of our children and families.

Thank you!

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3727 14th St. NE Washington, D.C. 20017

staying Thanks for in touch!

2014 Wish List Most Urgent Daily Needs: • • • •

Paper Towels Laundry Detergent Disinfecting Wipes Copy Paper

Kitchen & Pantry • • • • • • • • • •

Tupperware Containers Ziploc Bags (all sizes) Plastic Wrap + Foil Dishwasher Tablets Keurig K-cups Individual Juices Individual Snack Foods Fresh Veggies + Fruit Cereal Disposable Cutlery

• Lysol Antibacterial Wipes

Household Items: • • • • • • • • •

Swiffer Wet Wipes + Dusters White bath & hand towels, washcloths Copy Paper 8.5 x 11 Shower Curtain Liners Tub Cleaner (Fantastic/Mr. Clean only) Dryer Sheets Hand Sanitizer Liquid Laundry Detergent Bleach

Gift Cards: • • • • • • • •

Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter Target, Walmart Office Depot, Staples Bed, Bath & Beyond Home Depot, Lowes Michaels, AC Moore CVS, Walgreens Visa, Mastercard

For more information visit www.rmhcdc.org

See inside for Avery’s Story: “Though She Be But Little, She is Fierce.”