At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, we are dedicated to helping families with sick children stay together and near the medical care they need. We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family are more important than ever.
Jakia Shell knows all too well how hard life can be with a sick child. When her third daughter turned two, she and her husband were confronted with the news that Ashlyn had Sickle Cell, an inherited blood disorder, and would need a transplant. Before they knew it, the entire family was in Charleston for a long two months.
Fast forward four years, and Ashlyn is a healthy 6-year-old, trying to keep up with her older siblings while keeping an eye out for the newest member of the family, Aeryn.
In Jakia’s words, “Thank you so much for loving us, feeding us, playing with our kids, and most of all, keeping families close!”