Than A Place To Stay - Ronald McDonald House

Our families
Judah’s Story
Sara and Jason, Judah’s parents, first met when Sara travelled from her home
in Washington state to volunteer for an organization in Belize, where Jason
already lived. Falling in love with each other and a life of volunteering, they
married and started a family, remaining in Belize. It was a life of family,
friends, and service, all in glorious natural surroundings.
Given the family’s overall well-being, it seemed odd when what appeared to
be a simple spider bite began annoying Judah, then 8 years old. A trip to the
doctor revealed no reason for concern and it was only as an extra precaution
the doctor decided to take a biopsy of the bothersome bump, which needed
to be sent to the United States for the testing. Six weeks later, the results gave
everyone a deep shock: cancer.
“We never in a million years thought it would be cancer,” says Jason, shaking
his head. “The diagnosis was Non-Hodgkins Blastic Lymphoma.” The very
next day, the family of 5 was en route to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Elijah,
Judah’s five-year-old brother, was so befuddled by all the sudden activity he
packed only stuffed animals in his luggage.
Judah’s aunt works in healthcare and one of the first things she told the family
when she found out they needed to go to Seattle Children’s Hospital was to
call the Ronald McDonald House. “We were so lost. Housing was the last
thing on our minds. Now having the House here has made it so we can deal
with everything else.” Sara explains.
The whole family was delighted to discover that rather than a dismal and stark
place, the House offers so much that is joyful. “I was surprised to see all the
other kids,” Keilah, Judah’s older sister says. “The staff and the volunteers who
work here are so nice; it’s fun here.” “It’s been wonderful getting to know so
many great families and making friends,” confirms Sara.
Jason and Sara also marvel at the contributions of volunteers to the House. “I
have never seen such a volunteering spirit as I have here in the past 8 months,”
says Jason. “I look forward to the kids getting older so we can come back and
volunteer ourselves.”
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2010 highlights
27,787 nights of housing
provided
692 families served
94% occupancy rate
40-day average length of stay
32% of families come from
Washington state counties
immediately surrounding King
County, including Pierce,
Snohomish, Yakima, Kittitas,
Chelan and Kitsap
69% of our families are from
Washington state; 13% Montana;
11% Alaska and the rest from
Idaho, Oregon, California and
18 other states
55% of patients with families
staying at the House are ages 5 or
under; 22% are ages 6-12;
23% are ages 13 and up