“When we first came to Ronald McDonald House, we didn’t know what to expect, so we didn’t come with anything,” said Miracle’s mom, Heidi, whose baby girl has spent months in neonatal intensive care, undergoing open heart surgery as she waits for a liver transplant. “We were able to eat, the kids were able to eat. We were able to get on our feet a little bit, you know? It’s hard to do that, so it creates a kind of stability within our little unit.”
The Franco Family came to stay at the Ronald McDonald House when they found out that their youngest, 10-month-old Miracle, was going to need a liver transplant.
To Miracle’s parents, Daniel and Heidi, even the simplest things, like toiletries and laundry soap, made the biggest difference for their family. Daniel said, “You don’t have to worry about that, so it is not in the back of your mind.”
In the chaos of medical crisis, families like 10-month-old Miracle’s need your support more than ever.
Miracle’s 11-year-old big sister, Trinity, stays with her family nearby the hospital where her sister is being cared for.
“It feels good just to know that the kids here and my baby sister are in a safe place.” — Miracle's big sister, Trinity
With three older sisters herself, Trinity says that it has been an adjustment being at the House. “I’m a younger sibling too, which is kind of weird for me to be like an older sister.” But she’s been finding comfort in new friends, some of whom are also waiting for transplants like her baby sister.
“If I were to describe the Ronald McDonald House to my friends, I would tell them that it’s a beautiful place to meet new people and to learn about people,” she said. “I see kids around here, and I can tell that they feel fine, but I think on the inside of them they’re, like, worried about how the world thinks about them—like if they ever go back to school, how they’re old friends or their new friends are going to make fun of them. They want to be normal and stuff, I think.”
Siblings are deeply affected by childhood illness, which is why we have a special focus on keeping them together during medical crisis. Miracle’s dad, Daniel, puts it perfectly: “Being here together at Ronald McDonald House as a family together, it allows us to nurture our kids and explain to them what’s going on because they go through it too. They stress out, too, just as much as we do.”
According to dad, Daniel, the kids’ favorite activity at the House is Bingo Night. “Man, they go crazy for that,” he said with a smile. “That right there just brings joy to them.” Every Tuesday, the families are invited to join in on a round of Bingo to win a new toy.
Miracle’s 8-year-old sister, Serenity, shared that her favorite prize so far has been a piggy bank that she gets to put her money in.
On top of Bingo Night, the Franco kids enjoy reading in our Great Rooms, taking part in Fun Club activities, and playing on our outdoor playground.
Give today to help families like the Francos find moments of joy when they need it most.
When 5-year-old, Brennan was diagnosed with a brain tumor after suffering from seizures. This family’s world changed in a matter of seconds, but from the moment they got the news from the doctors in Reno, Nevada, Jason, Brennan’s dad shares, Read more about Brennan’s Story — The Best Experience You Never Want...
My name is Lizbeth. I’m an 18-year-old who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when I was 11 months old. My mom and Read more about Facing Cystic Fibrosis Together – Lizbeth’s Perspective...
The Larry C. Tripplett Sr. Family Center at RMH Oakland is officially open for both overnight stays and day pass families. Both programs serve families with critically ill children being treated at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Read more about Together Under One Roof, Supporting Families Facing Medical Crisis...
Aug. 8 — Last week, Is-e Hogan, grandmother of Jackson Sattler, and her friends hosted a wonderful dinner for RMHC Bay Area families honoring the memory of Jackson Sattler's sixth birthday. The group served pizza, mac-n-cheese, and salad, some of Jackson's favorite foods.... Read more about Mission Moment – Giving Back for Jackson...
nearby and inside the hospital
for families with sick children
of psychosocial support
offsetting $1.4 million in meal expenses
distributed thanks to our Second Harvest food bank partnership
donated for Comfort & Joy with an estimated value of $88,000
in Ronald McDonald House School (Carter Family Classroom)
delivered to families at the hospital
The Franco Family came to stay at the Ronald McDonald House when they found out that their youngest, 10-month-old Miracle, was going to need a liver transplant.
To Miracle’s parents, Daniel and Heidi, even the simplest things, like toiletries and laundry soap, made the biggest difference for their family. Daniel said, “You don’t have to worry about that, so it is not in the back of your mind.”
In the chaos of medical crisis, families like 10-month-old Miracle’s need your support more than ever.
Sick kids deserve healthy families
Miracle’s 11-year-old big sister, Trinity, stays with her family nearby the hospital where her sister is being cared for.
“It feels good just to know that the kids here and my baby sister are in a safe place.” — Miracles's big sister, Trinity
With three older sisters herself, Trinity says that it has been an adjustment being at the House. “I’m a younger sibling too, which is kind of weird for me to be like an older sister.” But she’s been finding comfort in new friends, some of whom are also waiting for transplants like her baby sister.
“If I were to describe the Ronald McDonald House to my friends, I would tell them that it’s a beautiful place to meet new people and to learn about people,” she said. “I see kids around here, and I can tell that they feel fine, but I think on the inside of them they’re, like, worried about how the world thinks about them—like if they ever go back to school, how they’re old friends or their new friends are going to make fun of them. They want to be normal and stuff, I think.”
Siblings are deeply affected by childhood illness, which is why we have a special focus on keeping them together during medical crisis. Miracle’s dad, Daniel, puts it perfectly: “Being here together at Ronald McDonald House as a family together, it allows us to nurture our kids and explain to them what’s going on because they go through it too. They stress out, too, just as much as we do.”
According to dad, Daniel, the kids’ favorite activity at the House is Bingo Night. “Man, they go crazy for that,” he said with a smile. “That right there just brings joy to them.” Every Tuesday, the families are invited to join in on a round of Bingo to win a new toy.
Miracle’s 8-year-old sister, Serenity, shared that her favorite prize so far has been a piggy bank that she gets to put her money in.
On top of Bingo Night, the Franco kids enjoy reading in our Great Rooms, taking part in Fun Club activities, and playing on our outdoor playground.
Give today to help families like the Francos find moments of joy when they need it most.
When 5-year-old, Brennan was diagnosed with a brain tumor after suffering from seizures. This family’s world changed in a matter of seconds, but from the moment they got the news from the doctors in Reno, Nevada, Jason, Brennan’s dad shares, Read more about Brennan’s Story — The Best Experience You Never Want...
My name is Lizbeth. I’m an 18-year-old who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when I was 11 months old. My mom and Read more about Facing Cystic Fibrosis Together – Lizbeth’s Perspective...
The Larry C. Tripplett Sr. Family Center at RMH Oakland is officially open for both overnight stays and day pass families. Both programs serve families with critically ill children being treated at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Read more about Together Under One Roof, Supporting Families Facing Medical Crisis...
Aug. 8 — Last week, Is-e Hogan, grandmother of Jackson Sattler, and her friends hosted a wonderful dinner for RMHC Bay Area families honoring the memory of Jackson Sattler's sixth birthday. The group served pizza, mac-n-cheese, and salad, some of Jackson's favorite foods.... Read more about Mission Moment – Giving Back for Jackson...
nearby and inside the hospital
for families with sick children
of psychosocial support
offsetting $1.4 million in meal expenses
distributed thanks to our Second Harvest food bank partnership
donated for Comfort & Joy with an estimated value of $88,000
in Ronald McDonald House School (Carter Family Classroom)
delivered to families at the hospital
