Lily Grace Egan

For 3-year-old Lily Grace Egan, Ronald McDonald House is “like being at home around her brothers,” says Lily’s mom, Sarah. “Here at Ronald McDonald House, Lily has other children to play with. I have other people to talk to – empathic people who know our situation and care.”

Lily is a miracle baby. Even her birth is a miracle. After just twelve weeks of pregnancy, Sarah and her doctor knew there were complications. But no one could have predicted just how complicated Lily’s medical situation would be.

Lily was born in Irvine, California, September 7, 2006. But it was March 2007 before she was allowed to go home. A long series of very complicated medical anomalies made Lily’s first year tenuous. Lily, however, showed everyone just what a fighter she is.

Having exhausted all of the medical resources in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego, Lily was referred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Here at Cincinnati Children’s, the medical teams are known not only for their expertise, but for their ability to collaborate across specialties.

Under one anesthesia, multiple teams of medical experts evaluated and diagnosed Lily’s very complicated series of anomalies, which included gastroenterology, airway, orthopedics, urology, colorectal, gynecology and on and on.

Then gradually, one by one, each of Lily’s medical conditions was addressed. Advances were made – and setbacks incurred. But through it all, Lily continued to fight – and Sarah continued to pray.

Numerous trips, “at least five or six,” Sarah says, have been made for Lily and Sarah between Irvine and Cincinnati. “And through it all, Ronald McDonald House has supported us. Being here is like being at home. It really is a home away from home where I can have a cup of hot coffee and find goodies in the kitchen.”

Walking into Ronald McDonald House for the first time, it’s as if “You don’t know anyone, but you know everyone,” Sarah says. “It’s like everyone here is your best friend. All the volunteers are smiling. The staff is really helpful, friendly and warm. Everyone is happy to reach out and help us. I have met the most incredible people here. Even the people who volunteer to serve meals at Ronald McDonald House will hold Lily and play with her nearby while I sit for a minute and have a hot meal.”

“The most amazing thing,” says Sarah, “is the sense of camaraderie among the people living here. All the families support one another. It is the only kind of environment you can ever be in and know everyone around you cares and supports you.”

“Sometime,” down the road, Sarah says, “when we’re on the other side of all this, I hope that I can be a part of Ronald McDonald House. I hope I can be a volunteer or offer my financial support. This is such an amazing resource.”

If you would like to support families like Lily’s, click here or contact RMHC Development Director Jill Miller at 513-636-9679 or e-mail jmiller@rmhouse.org.