A mother of two young boys, Aisha Hanna from Maquoketa, Iowa was ready to bring her third child into the world, this time a baby girl. Less than six months into the pregnancy, Aisha developed serious complications and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered that Aisha had a placenta abruption which left untreated could endanger both mother and baby. On November 12, 2018, baby Lyric was born via emergency C-section.
Lyric was immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. For mother Aisha, going back and forth to Maquoketa would mean driving nearly 150 miles each day. To be closer to Lyric, Aisha contacted Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI) and was set up with a room. Being just down the road from the NICU, Aisha didn’t have to worry about traveling and was able to see her baby every day. “Ronald McDonald House helps a lot of families and makes the time to support each individual family. It’s truly amazing what they do,” said Aisha.
Because of the timing of Lyric’s birth, Aisha and her family stayed at the House during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays are a busy time for families, but when you have a baby in the NICU, things become a little bit more stressful. Aisha explains, “The Ronald McDonald House cooked a full Thanksgiving meal, provided Christmas presents to my kids, and Santa Claus even made a special visit! I wouldn’t have been able to provide any of this. I’m forever grateful for RMHC-EIWI and they are truly my second family.”
