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Testimonials
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When Xochitl was 3 months old, doctors found a large sheath tumor on her spine attached to nerves on both the spine and the stomach. She underwent a 24 hour surgery when she was 2 years old and several nerves had to be cut in order to remove the tumor. The surgery removed the tumor but left her in a wheelchair. After the surgery, Xochitl was in remission for four years until doctors found a tumor on the right side of her brain. Due to the delicate location of the tumor, the doctors decided to give her radiation treatment to remove the tumor. Xochitl spent another four years in remission until September 2006 when doctors found another tumor on Xochitl’s neck. In May 2007, doctors performed surgery to remove the tumor on her neck. She is currently receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Xochitl has attended Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times since she was five years old. The first three years she attended the Camp with both of her parents. Xochitl made many friends during her Camp sessions that she keeps in touch with throughout the year. At Camp, Xochitl enjoyed playing outdoors, especially with horses, being creative and cooking. During her time at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Xochitl had the opportunity to ride a horse for the first time. She is grateful for the opportunity to ride on the RMHCSC float and be a part of the Rose Parade.
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| Xochitl Ultreras, 12, La Puente, Calif. |
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“I have been visiting the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House for approximately 10 years when I have treatment for an immune deficiency disorder at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. I hope to one day become a pharmacist and find a cure for cancer. I like to skateboard, snowboard and play music. My friends and I formed our own rock band called Dim City Lights, and we dream of one day performing on MTV.” |
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| Raymond McElawin, 17, Auburn, Calif. |
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At first glance Muhammed Rajab may seem like your average 14-year-old boy with big dreams of becoming a professional soccer player like his hero Ronaldinho Gaúcho, a healthy appreciation for video games, and an insatiable spirit and zest for life. But to appreciate how special Muhammed is, one must understand that he was born in war- riddled Kurdistan, Iraq and suffers from a multitude of illnesses including Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Dysplasia, an abnormal formation of the hip joint.
In an effort to receive the best possible care, Muhammad and his mother, Sayran, came to the U.S., leaving behind Muhammed’s father and sister, to be treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for families of seriously ill children, is providing the Rajabs with a long-term housing option while Muhammed receives treatment.
The Ronald McDonald House provides families whose children are undergoing treatment at nearby medical facilities with low cost, often free, lodging. Additionally, residents of the Ronald McDonald House receive comfort and support from other families who are experiencing similar ordeals.
The Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House features 35 bedrooms, to be expanded to 75 by spring 2008 in addition to a fully equipped kitchen, private bathrooms, recreation, play and family rooms, a parents’ den, and laundry facilities.
Since his arrival in the U.S., Muhammed has received a hip replacement surgery and is receiving physical therapy to help restore the muscle strength in his legs. Now, Muhammad’s dream of playing soccer is within his reach. |
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| Muhammed Rajab, 14, Kurdistan, Iraq |
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At twelve years-old Micah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma - a type of bone cancer – in his left leg. After several biopsies, doctors determined that Micah had many cancerous tumors throughout his left leg and he was treated at the Children’s Hospital Orange County. Several months later, doctors found that the cancer had spread from Micah’s leg to his lungs. He underwent chemotherapy treatment and his left leg was amputated from the knee down. Now 14-year-old Micah wears a prosthetic limb and has been cancer-free since March 2006.
Micah and his father Jim stayed at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House for five months while Micah was being treated and recovering from his surgery. Jim enjoyed the 24-hour meal facilities since he would return from visiting Micah at the hospital at different hours of the night. Today, Micah is very excited and grateful to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade. He is proud to represent the hundreds of families who have utilized the Orange County Ronald McDonald House’s services while their child was being treated at a nearby hospital. |
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| Micah Duron, 14, Anaheim, Calif. |
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“I love playing golf and hanging out with my friends and family. It was a complete surprise when I was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, a type of brain tumor, when I was 13-years-old. I was rushed to the hospital the next day and was hospitalized while doctors surgically removed my tumor. It took me awhile to get better, and my family was able to stay at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House instead of staying in a hotel. My parents were completely overwhelmed by how welcoming the people at the House were to them. It helped my family stay together during that time.” |
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| Gregory Martinez, 17, Bakersfield, Calif. |
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One night in July 2006, Eric had a massive seizure and was rushed to the local hospital. He was later taken by helicopter to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles where doctors put him in a medically induced coma for five days. During that time, Eric was in the hospital’s intensive care unit and later moved to the infectious diseases unit for a month. To this day, doctors are not exactly sure what caused Eric to become sick so quickly. They have diagnosed him with viral meningitis that turned into encephalitis, which caused his brain to swell resulting in the seizure.
The Silvius family stayed at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House for three weeks during his hospital stay more than a year ago. The family was thankful to have an affordable place to stay one block from the hospital. Today, Eric is a vibrant 14-year-old Liberty High School freshman. Now with only a few minor headaches, Eric has been able to pursue his hobby of building control line airplanes and hopes to one day join the coast guard. Eric is very excited to be a float rider in the Tournament of Roses Parade. |
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| Eric Silvius, 14, Bakersfield, Calif. |
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“I was first diagnosed with leukemia when I was 4 ½ years old. Unfortunately, it came back again when I was 7, and I had to go through chemotherapy and have a bone marrow transplant. I attended Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times for the very first time when I was 8. My brother Max and my sister Ilsa used to come with me too. I have been going to Camp two times a year for 6 years now. Since I had a sensitive immune system from the start, I didn’t get a chance to play with other kids my age very often. At Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times I was able to play with other children who had cancer and we were able to go horseback riding, swimming and fencing. I have made some really great friends at Camp.” |
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| Emily Buelow, 13, Calabasas, Calif. |
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Three years ago Cynthia’s parents noticed a severe curve in her spine. Cynthia’s doctor in Tijuana diagnosed her with scoliosis and recommended that she see a specialist in the United States. Cynthia saw a specialist at Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles where she was given a back brace to prevent the curvature in her spine from getting worse. However, after two years Cynthia had a sudden growth spurt which caused the curve in her spine to reach 50 degrees – it was necessary to have surgery. In June 2006, Cynthia had an operation on her spine called a spine fusion, in which metal rods, hooks, and wire keep the spine straight until the bits of bone join together with the vertebrae. This procedure helps prevent further side-to-side curving.
As Cynthia recovered from surgery, she and her family commuted back and forth from Tijuana for her doctor visits. The Espinoza family would stay at a hotel for three to four nights, which turned out to be very costly. The nurses at Shriners Hospital told the Espinoza family about the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena that offered a place to stay free of charge. At the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, Cynthia and her family no longer felt the financial strains of paying for a hotel – especially during this very stressful time. Cynthia felt at home at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House where she was able to cook meals in the kitchen, watch television and use the internet. She is overjoyed about the opportunity to ride the RMHCSC float in the Rose Parade. |
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| Cynthia Espinoza, 15, Tijuana, Mexico |
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“I was born with spastic cerebral palsy. I haven’t let my disability get in the way of my dreams. I recently won a first place ribbon at the Special Olympics Tri-Valley Horse Show. I played Oliver in a theater showcase. On my birthday last year, I earned my yellow belt in karate. My best friend is Ilia, my companion dog. He knows 43 commands, and he is always with me. My parents stayed at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House when I was sick in the hospital two years ago.” |
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| Cole Massie, 10, Atwater Village, Calif. |
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“I have spent many holidays, even my birthday, at Orange County Ronald McDonald House since I was diagnosed in July 2005. I have Burkitts Lymphoma, a very rare form of cancer. Despite my illness, I try to stay upbeat and positive about life. When I wasn't sick enough to stay in the hospital, doctors arranged for me to stay at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House rather than going back to Lake Elsinore which was too far away in case I had any complications. I am so happy to be recovering and I have made many great friends at the House.” |
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| Christopher Schoenmann, 16, Lake Elsinore, Calif. |
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