Meet The Richards Family

“We are a family of 6; parents of three children (now teenagers), and a furry daughter who is 2 years old. Parenting three teenagers (ages 13, 15, and 17) can be emotionally exhausting and comes with its own challenges—the challenge of a cancer diagnosis for our happy, healthy, athletic 15-year-old was not one we anticipated. It was a long seven months, but with the help of medical science and the amazing doctors and nurses, our son is now cancer-free.

Part of our son’s treatment involved traveling to and remaining in Boston (hundreds of miles away from home) for seven consecutive weeks. As a family, we were extremely grateful when we learned about Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and were subsequently blessed to stay in one of the apartments. RMH provided us with housing and regular delicious meals. We met amazing staff who reached out daily to remind us that they were there to support us in any way they could. It was more than free housing and delicious meals; it was family in a foreign city. 

As a mother, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed about my son’s experience. Every day, I would receive an email from staff at RMH just checking in, dropping off a gift card to the movies, or gift cards to travel by Uber because they knew that I was anxious about driving in Boston. No number of words can express how grateful we felt to be at RMH. The amazing service we experienced and received was not only comforting but inspirational. I am inspired to pay it forward in any way I can.

“I have so much more to be thankful for; I am thankful for my children and for my son being cancer-free, and I am thankful for all the doctors, nurses, family, friends, and community who stepped forward not just for our son, but for all of us. Thank you!”

Yvonne Richards (Mom) and Family

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