Dear Ronald McDonald House Family,
I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible support and care you have shown our family during this challenging and emotional time. One year ago, our 4-year-old son was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst on his C1 vertebra, a life-threatening condition that left us searching for the best treatment options. After exhausting all possibilities in our home country of Macedonia and throughout Europe, we received a life-changing referral to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the United States, which gave us hope.
We come from Veles, a small town in Macedonia, and our journey to the U.S. for treatment has never been easy. Each visit involves taking three flights, long layovers and a total travel time of around 24 hours each way from our home in Veles to Columbus.
Before this journey, we had never heard of Ronald McDonald House, but the hospital recommended your services, and we decided to give it a try. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
Over the past year, we’ve stayed at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House four times, each visit lasting two weeks. During these stays, your House has truly become a home-away-from-home for our family. From the moment we first arrived, we were overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality of the staff. Your kindness has made our difficult journey so much more bearable.
Our son, in particular, has had an incredible experience. He loves the playroom on the third floor, where he enjoys playing in the children’s kitchen—his dream is to become a chef one day! He also adores the therapy dogs, especially Nora (who he says is his best friend!). He’s even trying to convince us to bring a puppy home. The zoo room, the treehouse, the games in the basement and the frequent craft activities and bingo nights have all brought so much joy to our visits. We cannot thank you enough for creating such wonderful memories for us.
Most of all, it’s the overall atmosphere of the House that has meant so much to us. The courage, hope, and community spirit that fills the House have been a constant source of comfort. Every family staying there is facing its own difficult health challenges, but your efforts to create a supportive, positive environment make all the difference.
Staying in the U.S. is incredibly expensive. The expenses of such long-distance travel, in addition to the costs of medical treatment, have placed significant strain on our family. Without the support of Ronald McDonald House, we would never have been able to afford this journey. The opportunity to stay at the House, funded by generous donations, has been a tremendous blessing. Without it, we simply could not manage the costs of accommodations during each visit. The minimal recommended nightly donation has made it possible for us to focus on what truly matters—our son’s health and recovery. We are incredibly grateful for the care you’ve provided, and we will forever cherish the comfort and peace we’ve found at the Ronald McDonald House.
As we continue this journey, we remain hopeful that our son will heal and that the cyst will be replaced by healthy bone tissue. Until then, the Ronald McDonald House will remain our safe haven, offering us peace and comfort after each hospital visit. We pray to God for our son’s healing, and we are hopeful that in the future, we will only need to return in Ronald McDonald House only for check-ups.
Thank you once again for everything you do. You have been a lifeline to our family, and we are eternally grateful for your kindness and support.
With heartfelt thanks,
Talevski Family