In September 2010, McKenzie was born 14 weeks prematurely. While she stayed in the NICU at MUSC, her mother and grandparents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston to be close to her until she was able to go home, three months later.
"During our darkest time, the Ronald McDonald House and its staff provided so much more than housing for us...they were more like an extended family, comforting us and attending to our every need, making our extended stay as comfortable and bearable as possible," McKenzie's mom says.
McKenzie is now five years old. She goes to kindergarten and her teachers say she is an exceptionally bright student. She loves to dance, sing, do gymnastics, play Tee-ball, and this year will start basketball. McKenzie is a happy, healthy little girl.
"It's hard to believe that five years ago, she was 1lb., 1oz., 11 inches long and on a ventilator for 40 days," her mom says. "Ronald McDonald House was a haven for our family for nearly three months. We shall never forget the love and kindness extended to us by the Ronald McDonald staff. They made it possible for us to stay together with McKenzie. We try never to miss an opportunity to give back."
Learn How You Can Help
If you would like to plan a gift to help Ronald McDonald House care for families, contact Alix Tew at 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 or alix@rmhcharleston.org today.