22 Mar Team RMHC Makes Strides at Oakland Marathon
That’s a wrap on the 2024 Oakland Running Festival! We pounded the pavement for a purpose, crossed the finish line, and had a blast. RMHC Bay Area was a proud sponsor of the Celebration Village, arguably the best location of the whole race.
With a dedicated team of 17 runners under #TeamRMHC, raising over $3,000 in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area. But the chance to support the runners isn’t over yet – there’s still time to contribute to Team RMHC until March 25th!
A BIG thank you goes out to everyone who joined us in this incredible community event, from our runners to our board member Arun, and his children to the dedicated volunteers, staff, and event organizers at Oakland Marathon and Run Local.
Running for a Meaningful Cause 🤝
RMHC Bay Area mom, Jessica, ran the half marathon with Team RMHC for a second year!
“I’m a single mother of two kids, now 20 & 13. My son (the 20-year-old) was diagnosed with his first autoimmune disease at age 3. Once he started getting medically complicated (around age 10) we moved specialists to Stanford. He has since added a few more autoimmune diseases and is also now a cancer survivor. Without the Ronald McDonald House, we absolutely would not have been able to get him the care he needed. My younger child has a few issues as well so we continue to need the help of RMHC Bay Area, It’s been a second home for us, a place of community, healing, relaxation, and feel you’re at “home” and understood by everyone there. I don’t know what we would have done without all the help we’ve gotten from RMHC Bay Area.” — Jessica, RMHC Bay Area Parent
In the picture: Jessica, RMHC Bay Area mom (left), Katie (middle) RMHC staff and Team RMHC runner, and Mallory (far right) staff and Team RMHC runner
Meet Carley, an inspiring Team RMHC runner whose family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in San Francisco while she batted a life-threatening disease during childhood. Carley chose to run for Team RMHC because she knows first-hand what a community’s support means to families just like hers.
“During my childhood, I faced a battle with a rare and life-threatening disease known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. I required extensive hospitalization at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. Living more than two hours away from the hospital meant that my family faced tremendous logistical and financial strain. With two other children to care for and the exorbitant cost of extended stays in the city, finding a solution seemed impossible. Yet, my parents’ unwavering dedication led them to sleep in shifts beside my hospital bed, sacrificing their own comfort to be by my side.
Thankfully, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of the Ronal McDonald House. This remarkable resource provided my family with a haven where they could rest, regroup, and remain close to me during the most critical moments of my treatment.
Together, let’s pay it forward and ensure that families facing similar challenges can find solace and support when they need it most. ” — Carley, Team RMHC
Congratulations and thank you to RMHC Team runner and staff, Katie, who finished the 10k and raised over $1,000! 🎉
“Ronald McDonald House is vital in providing support to families with sick children during some of the toughest moments of their lives. I am running on Team RMHC because I know firsthand from growing up with a critically ill sibling how important the access to medical care, housing, meals and support programs that RMHC Bay Area provides are for families with sick children.” — Katie, Team RMHC
In the picture: Arun (far left) and his two children, Laura Keegan Boudreau, RMHC Bay Area CEO (middle), next to her Team RMHC runners and staff Mallory, Katie, and Dr. Hernandez.
Special thanks to RMHC Bay Area Board member, Arun, and his children, for volunteering as booth support.
Help Team RMHC reach their fundraising goal | Last day to donate is March 25th!
Relive the memories, check out our Flickr album filled with snapshots from the event 📸
