Two years ago today, I rushed down to Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and sat by my brothers' side as he heard the words, "You have leukemia".  I was numb at that moment and it was a little surreal because in 1995, I was in the same hospital as my sister fought the same fight.

1995 was a year of a lot of change.  Truthfully, it was one of the hardest things our family has gone through together and there were many nights and weeks when our family was hours apart from each other.

My mom has shared many times that when she had to rush to the hospital with my sister, she often left home without more than a few dollars.  There weren't cell phones back in the day and sleeping on a very uncomfortable chair in the hospital room was sometimes the only option.  (Trust me...they were horrible to sleep on!)  There were many days when driving back and forth from towns just wouldn't work...either because of weather, the distance alone, or my sister was just too sick to be that far away from the hospital.

The Ronald McDonald House was a home away from home for my mom and sister.  It was smaller than the one we have in Rochester but the only thing that mattered was if there was a bed available.  To be honest, our family couldn't afford hotels and sometimes the hospital stays were over several weeks.

Over the years, I have met many individuals with kids that are here in Rochester because of their treatments at Mayo Clinic.  Their journeys are so familiar to the days that I remember.

I get it.  I understand how hard it is to have other kids at home but need to be in this town with their kiddo that is fighting hard.  I understand how tired and exhausting it can be to seem like you are waiting forever for results and progress...and not have the comfort of home.

Rochester is lucky to have such amazing Doctors and nurses with the Mayo Clinic but this also means that we have a lot of families that are here...needing a home away from home.  Thankfully, we also have the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.

I am so thrilled to be part of the "Party at the Pavilion" event on September 6th at Willow Creek Golf Course!  This night is all about benefiting the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.  Here are the details:

Party at the Pavilion

  • Thursday, September 6th
  • Willow Creek Golf Course, 17800 48th St SW, Rochester
  • Doors open at 5:30 pm
  • 6:00 pm - Fernando Ufret will be performing (check out his personal invite to you below or at this link!)
  • 7:30 pm - Nels Leafblad will be performing
  • Enjoy a great evening of music, enjoying food and beer tastings, and help support the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester
  • Cost is $25 and includes the music, food, beer tasting, and collectible tasting glass

Buy tickets and learn more at the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester website (here)

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