The Tysdahl Family
It was a seemingly normal day for Carrie Tysdahl. Despite a few pains that she dismissed as a typical part of pregnancy, she went about her daily routine. But after a last minute appointment with her doctor to get some peace of mind, she learned that things weren’t normal after all—her water had broken at […]
The DeWolf Family
When Tara and Brandon DeWolf toured the birth center at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, Tara remembered passing the Ronald McDonald Family Room and thinking, “This is great, but I hope we’ll never need to use it.” Not long after, daughter Annabelle was born five weeks early and the DeWolfs found themselves in a […]
The Hobart Family
It was her worst fear: At 25 weeks pregnant, Nadine Hobart felt for her stomach. Her baby had stopped moving. At the hospital, Nadine was diagnosed with preeclampsia. Before she could process what was happening, her vision went blurry and the doctors told her that ready or not, it was time to give birth. After […]
The Phillips Family
Marissa and Ryan Phillips came to St. Luke’s for Marissa’s standard 32-week checkup. But to the couple’s surprise, the appointment was anything but standard—and they wouldn’t go home for another 20 days. When their daughter, Claire, was born seven weeks early, the Family Room gave the Phillips’ close access to their daughter in a setting […]
The McMannus Family
Alan and Carly McMannus were taken by surprise when their daughter, Margaret, was born at just 29 weeks. After their daughter was transferred to the NICU at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, the family was brought to the Ronald McDonald Family Room. The McMannus family knew it would be weeks before Margaret was ready […]
The Robles Family
Sylvia Robles and her husband, Edgardo, faced uncertainty when their twins, Mia and Ian, were born premature at 29 weeks. Mia was initially diagnosed with hydrocephalus and had a shunt put in place to ensure healthy brain development. Then at 6 months old she was officially diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Scared and unsure, they found […]
The Vargas-Crawford Family
Angie Vargas went into early pre-term labor at 24 weeks. After her daughter, Macie, was delivered at just 1 lb. 3 oz., Angie didn’t know if she would ever bring her baby home. Overwhelmed and frightened at the prospect of leaving her young daughter’s side, Angie and her partner Mitch found comfort in the Ronald […]
The Crossett Family
Wendy and John Crosset didn’t know what to expect when twins Magnolia and Finley were born at just 29 weeks, but they knew they could rely on the Ronald McDonald Family Room to provide them with the comforts of home while they split their time between work, the NICU and the Family Room at UnityPoint […]
The Briner Family
Chelia Briner was at work when her water broke 13 weeks before her due date. In the dead of winter, she was rushed in an ambulance from Waterloo to St. Luke’s Hospital where she received an emergency C-section. When her daughter, Journee, arrived in the world, she weighed just 2 lbs. 2 oz. She was […]
Kruckenberg Family
It was no ordinary Christmas. Ruby Kruckenberg was born nine weeks early on the morning of December 25, weighing a mere 2lbs, 11 oz. Her parents, April and Jeremiah, knew they were in for a long stay at the NICU. That’s when they learned about the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Luke’s. While Ruby […]
