Select the story you'd like to read:

  • Individual Stories

  • Corporate Stories

  • Volunteer Stories

  • General Stories

4 Marathons

Right now, there are 434 runners on Team RMHC, training to run 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon on October 7.

And each one has a different story – a different reason for going the distance for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Although everyone’s story is special, there are some that are downright remarkable. Personal statements that have inspired the Team to run a little harder, raise a little more and dig a little deeper.

Brandon has one of those stories. (And the before and after photos that make his journey from the hospital to the finish line incredible.) He shared it with us, and now we’d love to share it with you.

When I was 3 months old, I had severe heart problems. I was sent to Riley's Childrens Hospital where I had multiple surgeries. The surgeries included: coarctation of the aorta, VSD repair for the holes in my heart, and a pacemaker implant. While I was in the hospital my family spent a week at the Indianapolis Ronald McDonald House. That week just happened to coincide with Christmas, but my family was able to celebrate with other families at the House. They not only had a warm, comfortable, and relaxing place to stay, the staff and volunteers at the House gave gifts to everyone who was there over the holiday.

Since then I have had to return to Riley every year for checkups. I would check-out as healthy, but there was always uncertainty. I started running when I was in seventh grade. I fell in love with the sport and in high school I joined the cross-country and track teams. In college though, the rigor of classes and work inhibited my activity and I stopped running.  I started gaining weight and got more and more out of shape.

In 2010 though, I told myself that I was sick of being unhealthy. So I started to run during the winter and spring again. As the year went on I decided to talk to my cardiologist about running more – about running a marathon. After some testing we decided that I could do it. I chose the Indianapolis Marathon because it was close to the doctors that knew the history of my conditions. The feeling of crossing the finish line was overwhelming – going from a baby who was struggling with heart complications to running a marathon was unbelievable. Since then, I have run two marathons and Chicago will be my fourth.

What makes this race so special is that I chose to run for RMHC – I couldn’t think of running for a better cause. RMHC and in particular, the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis helped me and my family tremendously. And over the years, I’ve come to know so many others who have benefitted from the Charity and its Chapters. I feel like it is time for me to give back to the Charity that helped me and millions more.

Running a marathon takes more than strength and endurance; it requires a lot of heart. Brandon, I think we can safely say that you’ve got the heart it takes to meet your goals. Thank you for inspiring us.

Learn more about Team RMHC here. 

Comments (11)|(Hide)

  • Meammakermids

    03/04/2013 9:22pm

    <a href=http://buynolvadexonlineone.com/#hjenv>cheap nolvadex</a> - <a href=http://buynolvadexonlineone.com/#dnczm>nolvadex 10 mg</a> , http://buynolvadexonlineone.com/#nbqhq nolvadex online

  • unfikefet

    27/03/2013 4:06am

    <a href=http://buyonlineaccutaneone.com/#pwwtg>accutane cost</a> - <a href=http://buyonlineaccutaneone.com/#prsno>generic accutane</a> , http://buyonlineaccutaneone.com/#mbxav generic accutane

  • Butunsunsecax

    24/03/2013 9:33am

    <a href=http://buystratteraonlineone.com/#foaxy>strattera 25 mg</a> - <a href=http://buystratteraonlineone.com/#csglj>generic atomoxetine</a> , http://buystratteraonlineone.com/#cffnw strattera 10 mg

  • triefsappeant

    19/03/2013 3:19pm

    <a href=http://priligyonlinemeds.com/#rsibh>priligy online without prescription</a> - <a href=http://priligyonlinemeds.com/#asxud>priligy without prescription</a> , http://priligyonlinemeds.com/#qelky generic priligy

  • Paxhancenap

    15/03/2013 1:55am

    <a href=http://buyreliablezithromaxonline.com/#kmucc>buy zithromax without prescription</a> - <a href=http://buyreliablezithromaxonline.com/#vnota>zithromax 1000 mg</a> , http://buyreliablezithromaxonline.com/#dbsik zithromax 500 mg

  • excinueburi

    14/03/2013 10:32pm

    <a href=http://primecialisonline.com/#wvxeg>cheap cialis</a> - <a href=http://primecialisonline.com/#cjozd>cialis 20 mg</a> , http://primecialisonline.com/#vlnhf buy cialis online

  • Breacercafrok

    09/03/2013 8:24pm

    <a href=http://propeciaboutiqueone.com/#rtozw>generic finasteride</a> - <a href=http://propeciaboutiqueone.com/#mwmif>buy generic propecia</a> , http://propeciaboutiqueone.com/#maimz buy cheap propecia

  • waniClaibia

    09/03/2013 5:23pm

    <a href=http://buyonlineretinanow.com/#kzrga>buy retin a micro</a> - <a href=http://buyonlineretinanow.com/#mhkap>buy retin a cream online</a> , http://buyonlineretinanow.com/#sfjvz buy retin a

  • annebyRax

    05/03/2013 10:48pm

    <a href=http://viagraboutiqueone.com/#tksjx>viagra online</a> - <a href=http://viagraboutiqueone.com/#fifpu>cheap viagra</a> , http://viagraboutiqueone.com/#ndrsp buy viagra online

  • north face outlet

    01/11/2012 4:05am


    http://www.usthenorthfacejackets.com

    <a href="http://www.usthenorthfacejackets.com">north face outlet</a>
    <a href="http://www.usthenorthfacejackets.com">north face sale</a>
    <a href="http://www.usthenorthfacejackets.com/the-north-face-men">north face mens jackets</a>
    <a href="http://www.usthenorthfacejackets.com/the-north-face-women">cheap north face jackets</a>

  • ralph lauren sale

    01/11/2012 4:04am

    http://www.ralphlaurenjacketssale.com
    <a href="http://www.ralphlaurenjacketssale.com">ralph lauren sale </a>
    <a href="http://www.ralphlaurenjacketssale.com">ralph lauren uk </a>
    <a href="http://www.ralphlaurenjacketssale.com/men-s-jackets">ralph lauren jacket </a>
    <a href="http://www.ralphlaurenjacketssale.com/new-arrivals">cheap ralph lauren</a>

  1. Comment on This Story

    1. Comment as a Guest

    *Required

    Max 1,000 Characters

    This is a security feature to protect your privacy and the site.

  2. 2. Comment through Facebook

    Use your Facebook account to log in and leave a comment that can be shared with your Facebook friends, too.