Ronald McDonald House Charities of So. AZ 5 Overall Experience   
Grandma Z is an Angel in Disguise!

My family which consisted of my Husband, our four year old daugher Omara, and our 3 month old son, Fernando arrived in Tucson on January 19, 2004 the day prior to her scheduled appointment on January 20, 2004 at 9am with Dr. John Hutter and UMC's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic where we were to be informed of the type of cancer our daughter had and the treatment plan to get her better. After a sad and exhausting visit we were told that our daughter had aniplastic lymphoma cancer which is very rare in a young child. It usually occurs in teenagers and adults. It is a blood cancer related to Luekemia. Dr. Hutter told us that we needed to prepare to stay for an indefinate time period. But we ran into a problem considering the fact that we could not afford to stay in a hotel/motel for an indisclosed period of time as we up and left our jobs. But the Social Worker at the UMC's pediatric clinic called to Ronald McDonald House to see if they had room available. At that time it was the last room available. We were so fortunate! Upon our arrival at the Ronald McDonald House we met up wtih my Mom who flew into Yuma from Oregon and drove up that day with my Sister and her Husband. Grandma Z greeted us as we came through the door and made us feel welcome. It was almost like coming home considering all things that had just taken place. Grandma Z then offered our daughter Omara, a singing Teddy Bear with a red hat that she named Rose. Omara was immediatley put as ease and Grandma Z gave her a big hug and told her that all was going to be alright. I have never seen an individual care so much for someone she doesn't even know and to reach out to that depth to a family in need. To this day my daughter has very fond memories of the Ronald McDonald House as we do as well. Just this month in the first week of August Dr. Hutter gave our daughter a clean bill of health. She now only will go every 6 months for a check -up where she will receive blood work, PET Scan, and a CT Scan as well. It was the greatest news possible and had perfect timing. As two days later she was going to start second grade. I have a very deep spot in my heart for all the people at The Ronald McDonald house in Tucson, AZ especially Grandma Z! Thank you for your loving support, The Vega Family (Florence, Armando, Omara, Fernando & Baby Annie) *****Keep up the Great Work! You are all Angels in disguise!***** posted by florveg78 on August 27, 2006

Ronald McDonald House Charities of So. AZ 5 Overall Experience   
Heaven on Earth? This is it!

Hello, my name is Andreas. I came from Europe to Southern Arizona in January 2001 with my wife Debbie and my new-born baby girl Emily Victoria. I had to attend a training-course. We have had a wonderful time, making lots of friends. In early May it was time to go back home again. We packed up, the packers took all our stuff and we cancelled the apartment. Literally, the day we wanted to embark on our trip back home, we found out, our 10-months old baby had leukaemia. There was no way, she was stable enough, to be transported back home. So we were transferred to Tucson University Medical Centre in the middle of the night. There we were counselled, that Emily was seriously ill, and prospects were very bleak. We were stranded half way around the world with the prospect of our child dying - just like that... With no place to go, we were pointed towards the Ronald Mc Donald House. That night we arrived on the doorsteps thoroughly sweaty, dazed, exhausted and very upset. The image I will keep remembering for the rest of my life, was Mama Z lifting herself up from her chair and giving Debbie and myself the mother of all hugs. From that point on we knew, if we wanted to support our baby-daughter combating cancer, there was no better base then the Ronald Mc Donald House in Tucson. For the following weeks we went over to the UMC watching Ro Bagatelle and her staff at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit coming up trumps. They were really doing their magic. Emily fought hard and well. After eight weeks however, all scientific and spiritual means were exhausted and Emily passed away in our arms, while the Sonoran sun was rising outside the window. Again the Ronald McDonald House’s staff were there to help. While we were stricken in grief, they supported us with all of the administrative nightmare of a funeral and “how to take an urn back home”. All of this happened five years ago. Since then, a plaque has been put up in the garden of peace at the Ronald McDonald House in remembrance of Emily. Five years later we have two beautiful daughters and are happily living in our community. However, every day I think back of those dark and desperate days in Tucson. Every day I see my baby-girl fade away. And every day I see the good people of the Ronald McDonald House providing us with the strength to cope with another stressful day. Much time has passed. A lot of terrible things have happened since. But one very good thing has survived through all of this unscathed: the Ronald Mc Donald House in Tucson (and the UMC PICU). With the deepest respect, Andres Laaff posted by Puzzlepalace on April 10, 2006

Browse all reflections

Back to where you were

The inclusion of any organization or person in this database does not constitute a representation, warranty, or endorsement with respect to the competence, suitability, or reliability of such organization or person by Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona; nor does Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona sponsor or endorse any third-party web site. Legal Notices