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The Army Who Kept Us Strong

As a military family, we know what it means to surround ourselves with strength.  So, when our son was diagnosed with brain cancer we set out to build an army.  We found the best doctors, nurses and specialists and then the rest of our army found us at the Ronald McDonald House.

 

> Watch Dylan's Video

At first, we thought the Ronald McDonald House would be much like a hotel, a place to grab a few hours of sleep and shower.  Little did I know we would discover our secret weapon to Dylan’s recovery – the people that would keep my husband and me strong – physically, emotionally and spiritually - so we could be strong for Dylan. 

We drew strength from the staff who counted the days of Dylan’s radiation with us; the volunteers who made sure we never worried about a warm meal; and the other families, who gave us hope and solace through their stories.

And Dylan grew stronger too.  He never had to fear that we would get stuck in traffic if he woke up frightened and we needed to rush to his side.  He took comfort in knowing we were staying at Ronald McDonald’s House.  And, when he came to the House to stay during his radiation treatments, he could feel like just another kid, not a kid with cancer. 

After only five months Dylan was tumor free – due in no small part, doctors said, to the unwavering support from the veritable army of volunteers, families and staff at the Ronald McDonald House. 

I don’t think our family would have come out of this situation as well as we did without the Ronald McDonald House.  Until you’ve gone through something like this, you couldn’t comprehend how many people you will need to help get you through it.  Thanks to Ronald McDonald House our team is stronger, and now our son is, too.

-          Janel Przybysz, Dylan’s mom

We drew strength from the staff who counted the days of Dylan’s radiation with us; the volunteers who made sure we never worried about a warm meal; and the other families, who gave us hope and solace through their stories.

Comments (5)|(Hide)

  • 21/11/2010 11:12am

    With out those kind hearted volunteers help is not possible. When donation is not possible, we can always volunteer to do some chores in the house of Ronald Macdonald for the parents of those sick children. God bless Ronald MacDonald House!!! We might not have the control of healing a terminally ill child, but we have full control of making the process of healing or surviving easy for the parents and that child by providing what is within our power. What is within our power is, our heart, our money, our physical power, our awareness and our willingness of choosing what is right. Tigest Samuel, The Netherlands.

  • 21/11/2010 11:09am

    With out those kind hearted volunteers help is not possible. When donation is not possible, we can always volunteer to do some chores in the house of Ronald Macdonald for the parents of those sick children. God bless Ronald MacDonald House!!! We might not have the control of healing a terminally ill child, but we have full control of making the process of healing or surviving easy for the parents and that child by providing what is within our power. What is within our power is, our heart, our money, our physical power, our awareness and our willingness of choosing what is right.

  • Tigest Samuel

    21/11/2010 11:00am

    God bless Ronald Macdonald House!!!

  • 18/11/2010 9:45am

    This story is so true. Until you've actually gone thru something like this, you don't know how important the Ronald McDonale house is. We've stayed for several days due to our son's Hydrocephalus, my sis-in-law stayed several months due to her daughter's condtion & I've a good friend who's stayed due to her daughter's condition. Thanks so much for being there.

  • Caryn

    09/10/2010 9:18am

    Fantastic artical!!!

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