By Rick Shepherd, Communications Manager
As we prepare for the arrival of National Donate Life Month in April, we at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio are reminded of just how many children walk through our doors with their families who are transplant patients. Over this past month, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House was the setting for two major, magical events for two pediatric transplant patients. The first was an out-of-this-world event involving the escort of a 16-year-old by the Ohio Garrison of the 501s Legion, an international Star Wars cosplay club, which included the teen’s dad and his adult donor, both members of the group. The second was a birthday party for a girl entering her first year as a teenager after a successful lung transplant more than a year ago.
You can learn more about the Star Wars escort here and you can learn about the birthday celebration here.
Update: Estefania and her family recently became the longest staying family at our Ronald McDonald House, having stayed more than a thousand days as of Easter. Estefani says she has experienced three Easter holidays at our Ronald McDonald House since her family arrived from Florida three years ago. This year, she and her mother Honet we guests of honor at the Southeast Lion’s Club 79th Annual Easter Egg hunt at Schiller Park in German Village. There, she found an golden egg with allowed her to get a miniature chocolate Easter bunny just like the 35-pound chocolate bunny The Southeast Lions Club donated for all families at the House to enjoy.
Throughout April, RMHC of Central Ohio is proud to partner with the transplant group at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in observing this special month which reminds us that we can all be lifesavers just by registering to be a donor. To support the transplant program’s observance of Donate Life Month, RMHC of Central Ohio is booking food trucks every Friday in April through its food truck fundraising program. the Nationwide Children’s Hospital community will be able to learn about registering to be an organ or tissue donor while also having the opportunity to grab lunch from the food trucks parked on Children’s Drive along Livingston Park. to see the schedule and order from some trucks online, click here.