The Barrows Steig Family
At their 20-week ultrasound, Miranda and Brent learned their baby had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, where the diaphragm does not close during development and abdominal organs can move into the chest and crowd the heart and lungs. The local care team referred them to University of Iowa Health Care, so that neonatologists could care for […]
The Wehrspann Family
In 2017, Becky and Ben arrived in the pediatric intensive care unit eager to hear the condition of their daughter. Earlier that day the family was enjoying the outdoors when their 8-year-old suffered an accident and was transported emergently to Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children’s Hospital. “The night we arrived at the hospital was very […]
The Keen Family
When their son Nash was born extremely early, Mollie and Randall knew that a long NICU stay was in their future. Mollie’s nurses encouraged her to contact Ronald McDonald House. “I honestly don’t know how we would’ve made it through this journey without Ronald McDonald House services. When your child is critically ill, your whole […]
The Phetmanysay Family
In 2022 at their 20-week prenatal appointment, Daniel and Madison learned one of their twins had a very serious and severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. “Her outcome looked grim, but we tried to have hope.” Unfortunately, they also learned Madison was showing signs of preterm labor and was admitted to the hospital until their girls arrived. […]
The Pecinovsky Family
When Meredith developed preeclampsia, the Cedar Falls family knew their baby would need the specialized care of a NICU. At just 30 weeks gestation, baby Otto was born at Unity Point Health St. Luke’s Hospital. The NICU was more than an hour from their home, and their baby needed his mom and dad by his […]
The Love Family
When their daughter Zoey was born with a severe heart defect, the Love family knew they were in for a long journey. They traveled from Rock Island, Illinois to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, so Zoey could have three open-heart surgeries. While Zoey was in the pediatric cardiac ICU, they were able to […]
The Kurtz Family
When their second son, Wyatt, was born 15 weeks early the Kurtz family found themselves unexpectedly in Iowa City. Anticipating a long NICU stay, the Waukee family reached out to the Ronald McDonald House. “Having a room at the Ronald McDonald House took so much stress off our hospital stay. It allowed us to really focus […]
The Waterman Family
When Trisha and Scott Waterman’s daughter was born prematurely, they were filled with uncertainty. “Knowing we didn’t live close enough to the hospital to spend quality time with our daughter in the NICU and commute, the nurses gave us information about the Ronald McDonald House.” A room at RMHC-EIWI allowed them to stay close to […]
The Williams Family
Pregnant with her first child, Rochelle felt unprepared when her water broke 7 weeks early. “I honestly did not have my diaper bag ready. Just had my baby shower the weekend prior and nothing was unpacked.” She was put on hospital bedrest until her son was born a few days later. “Once my son was […]
The Weatherwax Family
When their infant son was life flighted to Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Kayla and Ben arrived with just the clothes on their backs. “We did not have a toothbrush, any toiletries, anything other than what we wore that day. It was so nice to be able to take a shower and have toiletries […]