Mother Stacye holds and presses forehead with daughter Olivia B&W

The Sky’s the Limit for This One

5.11.17

Olivia was born in Las Vegas on March 20, 2015 to Stacye and Jack — 6 pounds, 8 ounces, blonde hair, blue eyes. Right away there were some hard-to-explain complications but it wasn’t until she was two months old that she was diagnosed with a very rare inherited bone marrow syndrome.

It’s called Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia (CAMT); there are only 100 diagnosed cases worldwide.  It is usually diagnosed in infancy and the only treatment is a bone marrow transplant.  The family was referred to Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis at Banner Children’s Diamond Children’s Medical Center.  Though internationally acclaimed for his work in pediatric bone marrow transplantation, Olivia was the first child he had seen with this disease.

Stacye knew they’d be in Tucson for many months and with five-year-old Josie to care for as well, she was concerned about finding the right place. Jack’s insurance would pay for a motel but they also came to visit the Ronald McDonald House.

“We really didn’t know what to expect,” Stacye said.  “But we just loved it here.  The people are so friendly. The staff really takes care of you.  Dinner time at the House is really great.  It’s a very social time to meet other families who are going through what you are – we’ve stayed friends with some of them.”

Mom and Josie stayed at the House while Olivia was in the hospital.  Eventually Olivia was out of isolation and joined them here.  Jack stayed in Las Vegas to keep working.  All told, the family was at the House for 84 nights.

“It’s lonely in the hospital when you are here from out of town.  Staying at the House made it less lonely. It was a blessing to be so welcomed there.” 

Stacye and her family spent last Mother’s Day at the Ronald McDonald House. And even though she loved it here she’s happy to be back home in Las Vegas, with two-year-old Olivia 100% cured of this incredibly rare disease.

“If this little girl ever says there’s something she can’t do, I’m going to remind her of everything she’s been through already.  The sky’s the limit for this one!”


 

Josie, Stacye, & OliviaEvery day at the Ronald McDonald House, we meet a mother who is struggling in more ways than we can imagine.

  • A single mom who has to leave her job and her older children to care for her five-year-old who has cancer.
  • A young mother trying to finish high school while her tiny, premature baby spends months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • A mom with two autistic sons with inexplicable medical issues.

These moms also want the best for their children and are doing everything they can for their kids. The stress is unbelievable.  Dealing with sometimes life-threatening illnesses, keeping their child’s spirits up (and their own), worrying about the rest of the family and of course, about paying for all the medical bills.

At the Ronald McDonald House, we can provide some respite for these moms – nearly 600 of them each year.  Here, they have a beautiful place to stay, home-cooked meals, laundry facilities, transportation and TLC. Because of your support, we can provide this support to moms at no charge.

This year will you consider honoring your mother, by honoring moms like Stacye who rely on the Ronald McDonald House to make a terrible situation a little bit better?  Your gift stays in Tucson to help families in our community. With your help, we can give them one less thing to worry about – on Mother’s Day and every day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and the children they love.