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The Medina-Flores Family

A Community’s Vital Role

Finding Hope Far from Home

When Adina Flores’ son, Alex, was born 18 years ago, he arrived prematurely and was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Within his first two weeks of life, Alex underwent two open-heart surgeries. Following the second, he was airlifted from their home in Sacramento to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford—a hospital and city Adina had never visited. With her husband and eldest son still at home, she arrived in Palo Alto alone, scared, with only the clothes on her back and less than $20 in her pocket. 

The House became our home, a place where we could prepare meals, where our older son could play with other children, and where we found solace among other families going through battles like ours.`` — Adina, Alex’s Mom
  • An infant with medical equipment on a hospital bed
  • A child smiling with medical equipment

    Alex Medina during a hospital stay.

  • A child holding a CHD Awareness sign
  • The Medina-Flores family. Alex and his older sibling, alongside mom & dad.

    The Medina-Flores family. Alex and his older sibling, alongside mom & dad.

  • An image of a male at a hospital with medical equiptment.
  • Alex smiling with Ronald bench in the background.
  • Alex and siblings outside the Arrillaga building during a holiday car show.
  • A group picture of three children smiling.

    Alex and his siblings Emiliano and Isabella.

  • A group picture of children at a playground.

    Isabella alongside other RMHC Bay Area House siblings.

When a Child is Sick, the Whole Family is Sick—and Heals Together

Over the years, the Flores family has experienced the full spectrum of RMHC Bay Area’s support. For shorter hospital visits, they accessed Day Pass services like shower and laundry facilities, no-cost hot meals, and had a moment to catch their breath from the chaos of medical care. During longer stays, Alex’s siblings stayed with Adina at the House. The youngest, Isabella, even participated in RMHC Bay Area Summer Camp activities with other House siblings. 

In July 2024, the Flores family returned once again—this time for Alex’s heart and liver transplant. While other kids worried about grades or sports, Alex had to worry about survival. The Flores family faced not only the emotional strain of having a critically ill child, but also the devastating financial toll.  Over those 196 days, the House provided the consistency, support, and sense of community they needed to stay strong and present for Alex during his recovery. 

A Forever Part of Their Story

Today, Alex is getting stronger and is looking forward to graduating high school in person. As the Flores family adjusts to a new normal, they continue to draw strength from the community that rallied around them. The support of RMHC Bay Area—and the generosity of donors like you —remains a lasting part of their journey. 

We joined other families who understood all too well that we were part of a club that no one wanted to belong to, but we find something magical inside the walls of the House. Hope, and courage prevail, and we draw strength from one another. — Adina, Alex’s Mom
  • A teenager holding up two signs and smiling. The signs read "Fighting CHD" and "Love my new liver"
  • A group of people holding RMH Letters and smiling. There's a festive holiday backdrop behind.
Porsche Gordon
We hope hearing the Flores’ family story, you are able to reflect on the impact you can have with a legacy gift to our charity. By leaving a gift in your will, you are not just making a financial contribution; you are planting seeds of compassion that will resonate through generations. Together, we can uplift families, transforming moments of despair into hope.``
— Porsche Gordon, Vice President of Advancement

Be there for sick kids and their families. Join our community of support.

P.S. We have more to share with you about the Flores-Medina Family and Alex’s medical journey. Keep an eye on our social media for more updates and sign up for our newsletter.

Donors Make These Stories Possible

Why Your Gift Matters

38,421 overnight stays to help keep families close to their hospitalized children
168 students enrolled in Ronald McDonald House School (Carter Family Classroom)
5,073+ hours donated by volunteers helping to offset the cost of program operation, and offering care and love to families
7,749 gifts donated for Comfort & Joy from 250 holiday toy drive
104,387 free meals to help keep families close to help nourish families with ill or injured children
8,123 snack packs delivered to families at the hospital
Did you know? 56% of families report household food insecurity, according to 2023 RMHC local impact research study with Stanford Medicine.
$18,524,165 in housing, meal, and support services to families in medical crisis