At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI), we know that family support is essential during challenging times. The Hutcheson family’s journey shows the profound impact a caring, comforting place can have when life becomes overwhelming.
Meet the Hutcheson Family
Keenan and Jenny Hutcheson were parents to two young boys when their daughter, Remi, made a surprise arrival at just 32 weeks. Her early birth brought unexpected medical challenges, requiring the family to navigate life between their home in Davenport and the NICU in Iowa City. The Ronald McDonald House became a vital lifeline. For the Hutchesons, RMHC-EIWI provided more than a place to stay—it offered a sense of normalcy and connection.
“The House gave us a lifeline when we needed it most. It allowed me to stay with our boys while Jenny could be close to Remi, just minutes from the NICU. Knowing she had a warm, loving place to sleep each night brought me incredible peace of mind.”
Keenan Hutcheson, Remi’s Dad
Jenny, Remi’s Mom, reflects on one special moment, saying, “One of the most meaningful experiences was when we could all share a meal together at the House. It was the first time in a long while that we felt a sense of normalcy.” The simple act of dining as a family brought comfort during a time of uncertainty.
The Impact of Your Support
Your generosity helps families like the Hutchesons focus on what matters most, their child’s health. With over 87% of our funding coming from individual donors, RMHC-EIWI provides more than just a place to stay. We offer meals, transportation, and a compassionate community that supports families in their time of need—all at no cost to them.
Because of the generosity of donors like you, over the last year RMHC-EIWI has been able to:
Serve more than 500 families from around the world at our Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City, offering over 10,000 nights of comfort.
Assist more than 3,600 family members through our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Help Us Keep Families Close
As we look to the future, the demand for our services is expected to grow significantly. Your continued support ensures that families like the Hutchesons can stay close and find comfort when it matters most.
Make a Difference Today – Please Donate to Keep Families Close
It was a Thursday when Davenport couple Jenny and Keenan Hutcheson welcomed their third child into the world, eight weeks ahead of schedule. Baby Remi was quickly whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at University of Iowa Hospital, her fragile form tangled in a web of tubes and wires. Her early arrival was not something they had anticipated, but was necessary due to vasa previa, a rare pregnancy complication. After falling into an exhausted sleep, the new parents were awakened on Friday morning by doctors concerned about Remi’s condition. “We were woken up and told she wasn’t doing well at all, that she was not acting like a baby born at 32 weeks,” remembers dad Keenan.
At just one day old, Remi’s struggles escalated following a diagnosis of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect that could lead to heart failure if left untreated. The road ahead was paved with uncertainty and the close-knit family braced themselves for a lengthy stay in the NICU. Keenan and Jenny couldn’t imagine spending weeks apart from their older children in the Quad Cities or leaving their newest addition in the Iowa City NICU. Yet amidst the chaos, there was a beacon of light – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI).
“The impact is honestly immeasurable, if it wasn’t for the housing [at Ronald McDonald House] I’m not sure what we would have done. With Jenny being off work early with complications and the extra cost associated with having a baby in the NICU, it’s huge,” says Keenan. The Ronald McDonald House became a lifeline as they navigated the obstacles and milestones of each day in the NICU. Their suite provided a haven where they could gather as a family on weekends, listening to the laughter of their boys as they played on the backyard playground and raiding the kitchen for snacks. Complimentary passes to the local pool offered moments of normalcy, while the savings from parking eased the financial burden of life split between hospital and home. Keenan and Jenny were delighted to find out that RMHC-EIWI provides toys for patients and their siblings, gives everyone a special blanket on the bed when they arrive, and provides dinners donated by individuals, service groups, and local restaurants.
As Remi fought for her life, RMHC became an anchor, offering more than just shelter and sustenance. It offered hope, a lifeline woven from the kindness of strangers and the resilience of the human spirit. Their boys found joy in the simple pleasures- climbing on the playground, eating snacks, playing with new toys, and soaking up the comfort of their parents during a scary and confusing time. “We would joke and tell people I was headed to our ‘vacation home’ on the weekends,” quips Keenan. “It became our home away from home for not only Jenny, but for our family on the weekends. [RMHC-EIWI] allowed her to be able to spend time with boys as well as be close by for Remi.”
With Remi growing stronger by the day, the Hutcheson’s prepared to return to their Davenport home after 5 long weeks. “We know so much about RMHC now. As someone who never has the need all you know is that ‘RHMC helps families,’ but the extent to which they do is unknown until you need them.” Initially wanting to stay with friends rather than test unfamiliar waters, their youngest son’s tears as they bid farewell spoke volumes. What began as a journey fraught with fear ended in triumph, a testament to the power of love and community.
