When Shaun was six months old, he was diagnosed with heart failure. His parents were filled with confusion, grief, and anxiety. Immediately, his doctors transferred him to Nationwide Children’s Hospital from Cleveland for further care.
For the next seven months of his life, Shaun survived hooked up to machines and medical devices. Across the street, his parents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, just steps away from their child. At RMHC they spent what felt like years, hoping for their son’s miraculous recovery.
In a remarkable turn of events, Shaun received a heart transplant from a generous family. In 2024, just over 110 organ donors in the U.S. were under the age of 12 months, and Shaun happened to be on the receiving end of one of the 110.
While Shaun will be immunocompromised for the rest of his life and will always be in therapy, his parents are incredibly grateful to be entering his toddler years with him. They are so thankful that, one year later, they stopped by the Ronald McDonald House to say hello and share their gratitude.
Support families like the Evans
When families like the Evans have a child in the hospital, the little details are the last thing on their mind. Thoughts like where to stay and where to eat fly out the window when a child is in the hospital. In that moment, the only thing that matters is being close to your child. And that’s exactly what RMHC allows families to do.
This Cartober, you can help make that possible for even more families. Throughout October, RMHC of Central Ohio is joining the national Cartober campaign, a month highlighting the power of vehicle donations. Whether it’s a car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or even a boat, your donation can be transformed into nights of comfort and care for parents and children who need to stay close to the hospital.
Each vehicle donation provides, on average, a week’s worth of support for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. That means a week of home-cooked meals, warm beds, hot showers, and the peace of mind that comes from being steps away from a child receiving care. With your help, parents like Shaun’s can focus less on logistics and more on healing.
How to get involved in Cartober
There are a few simple ways to make a difference this month:
- Donate Your Vehicle: If you have an unwanted car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat, consider donating it to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio during Cartober. Your vehicle donation directly supports families like the Evans. Visit cartober.com/rmhc-centralohio or call 855-227-1822 to get started.
- Spread the Word: Share this story with your friends and family to inspire others to take part. Every conversation helps another family find support when they need it most.
Every mile makes a difference
From a donated vehicle to a warm meal at the House, every act of generosity helps bring families closer when it matters most. This Cartober, you have the chance to turn something you no longer need into something priceless: time together for families like the Evans.