Haelie Pisciotta

Whether it’s a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on, the families who live at Ronald McDonald House say it’s invaluable to them.”There’s just so much here,” says Kellie Pisciotta, mother of four-year-old Haelie. “ It’s not like a hotel, where you’re alone and you have to eat out. It’s a home-like environment. Certainly, you have your own space, but you also have all the common areas where you meet other families and share with each other.” And, watching Haelie and her sister McKenzie laugh and play at Ronald McDonald House makes it clear that for the Pisciotta family, at least for a while, this House is “home.”

When Kellie was pregnant with Haelie, she learned that a smooth muscle disorder would require Haelie to endure a life-saving, multi-organ transplant. When Haelie was a mere ten months old, the Pisciotta family – mom Kellie, dad Rob and big sister McKenzie – all came to Cincinnati Children’s for Haelie’s transplant. Ronald McDonald House was here for them, with open doors and open arms. At that time, Haelie had four organs transplanted – her colon, bowel, liver and pancreas. And, she came through it all with flying colors. “Just look how busy she is,” says Kellie, as Haelie chases after her Ronald McDonald House friends.

Ronald McDonald House has become a part of life for the Pisciottas. They’ve been back four times since Haelie’s transplant, and will continue to return to Cincinnati for clinic visits twice a year, indefinitely. Thankfully, Kellie knows that each time, their family will have Ronald McDonald House as their “home away from home.”

This House “has everything you need,” says Kellie. “And if it’s not here, someone will get it for you.” Often, that someone is one of the 200 Ronald McDonald House volunteers, like Ned Lanzit, who keep this House running. Like so many here, Ned has become not only a friend, but also family to the Pisciottas. “I’ve made so many friends here that I keep in touch with.” It’s obvious Ned is among those whom Kellie and Haelie hold dear, as Haelie trots along shouting,“Ned, Ned,” encouraging Ned to “go play.”

Of course, there are also the other guest families at Ronald McDonald House who have become both friends and family to the Pisciottas. “There’s a closeness that happens,” explains Kellie. “The people who have lived here really know what we’ve gone through. They understand our lifestyle. It’s a life you really can’t know unless you’ve lived it.”

Caring for the families who “live it” is what Ronald McDonald House is all about. It’s a House, a Home and a place where strangers become family.