Ronald McDonald House Charities celebrates milestone year of helping families

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) is celebrating its 45th year of helping families get better together. What started as a vision of co-founder Charlie Marino and his wife to help families after a personal experience with a sick child has gone on to serve over 130,000 families who needed a home away from home to stay near their hospitalized child.

Lara and Rob Kozak intimately understand the impact that Ronald McDonald House has on families. When their daughter was born and unexpectedly admitted to the PCICU (pediatric cardiac intensive care unit), they experienced first-hand how hard it was to leave their daughter’s side. 

“I did not see her. I didn't get to hold her. I didn't get to kiss her,” said Lara. “I was trying to recover from my C-section and finally saw her hours later in the PCICU. It was hard seeing my first daughter intubated.”

Adeline Kozak was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and needed an open-heart procedure. While the surgery is standard for babies born with this condition, Adeline was unable to undergo the procedure at first due to complications. The surgeons decided it was best for Adeline to stay in the hospital until she was strong enough to undergo the surgery.

During Adeline’s stay, her parents wished to be as close as possible to their daughter. So they turned to the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children’s Hospital for help.

“My husband had to go back to work. I was on FMLA, and so I was here alone,” said Lara. “Thank God for Ronald McDonald House because I met a lot of heart families and a lot of heart moms. Ronald McDonald House saved my sanity.”

“I would go to the Ronald McDonald House at night because some days I slept in a chair at the hospital, and it was hard with my C-section recovery. Some days I stayed at the House. I knew Adeline needed me and Ronald McDonald House gave me a breather so I could regroup and be strong for her at the hospital,” continued Lara. 

The Kozak family credits the Ronald McDonald House for giving them a home away from the hospital to relax or simply grab a snack. The other families, volunteers and staff served as a community to the Kozaks, supporting them and caring for their child through the tough time.

“It takes a huge burden off your shoulders. You don’t have to think about food or any supplies, and you can focus 100% on your child,” said Rob. 

Adeline was finally able to receive the procedure and the family returned home for the first time since she was born. But, Adeline’s heart syndrome persisted. Additional procedures resulted in three hospital stays—a total of 51 nights. While each visit presented new challenges, Ronald McDonald House remained constant. Lara and Rob were welcomed back into their favorite room, this time with Adeline’s new sister.    

“It was hard to juggle. My husband and I would take turns going back and forth to the hospital and the House. We would switch off. Either of us was with Adeline or with Alyssa,” said Lara. 

Throughout it all, the Kozaks’ resilience was backed by the comfort the Ronald McDonald House provided. “It was really hard. But I loved being here,” said Lara.

With the addition of 10 new guest rooms at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital (bringing the Chapter’s largest House to a total of 80 bedrooms) and the opening of the new Ronald McDonald House inside Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit this year, RMHC-CNI now offers families 172 rooms at nine Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms throughout the region. Each year, RMHC-CNI provides hospitality and services to families that saves them over $9 million in hotel and food costs.

The organization relies on passionate volunteers and donors to support families. You can learn more and get involved by visiting ronaldhousechicago.org.

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