Anzania Moreno Gilstrap, from Myrtle Beach, S.C., has been staying at the Ronald McDonald House for the last four months while her daughter Malia is being treated at MUSC's Children's Hospital.
Malia was born 10 weeks early weighing only 3 pounds and suffering from a condition known as omphalocele—a birth defect in which she was born with her intestines and liver on the outside of her body. She had surgery on her intestines on St. Patrick's Day due to a blockage. She has a gastrostomy tube and is on a machine that helps with her breathing. Malia has grown to be 11 pounds and is still wearing newborn clothes, but is still mom's big girl.
"Staying at the Ronald McDonald House has really helped me to be close to my baby, and everybody here is like your friends and family," says Anzania. "Being here with other parents really helps because even if your children are not going through the same thing, as parents you understand what each other is going through. They encourage you and say, 'You're gonna go home soon!'"
Make an Impact
If you want to make a difference for families at Ronald McDonald House, please contact Alix Tew at 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 or alix@rmhcharleston.org.