Jack Callahan is a 7-year old Charlottesville native who was diagnosed with metastatic cancer on February 6, 2019. Jack underwent initial treatment at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, but in June 2019 tests revealed those treatments had not eradicated the cancer. With a few days notice, Jack and his family relocated to Philadelphia for 8 months so Jack could receive advanced care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
While in Philadelphia Jack received 5 rounds of chemotherapy including 3 high-dose rounds that required stem cell transplant. He also had major surgery to remove his tumor and 30 days of proton radiation. All told Jack spent 117 nights in the hospital. Throughout this, Jack’s parents – and Jack when he was able – lived at the Ronald McDonald House. The “house” not only provided food, lodging, and transportation, but also a supportive community.
“Mason Spencer was born in June 2016. One of our first memories of him that day was just how perfect he looked and how amazed we were by his super blonde hair. We were told before leaving the hospital that we would need to follow up with Urology, but nothing too concerning since it was a common occurrence in boys. Looking back now, we wish that was the only worry we had. Within 3 weeks Mason began acting different and started to look pale. We reached out to the pediatrician who sent us to have labs drawn. We cried watching him get stuck, not knowing this would be the first of many, many more lab draws. The results were so concerning that the pediatrician told us to take him to CHOP as soon as we could. We quickly learned that our baby boy was in end stage renal failure at just 3 1/2 weeks old and most likely wouldn’t have made it another day had we waited to come in. That sent chills down our spine. The next morning he was taken for surgery to place a dialysis catheter and that’s where his fight truly began. We were fortunate to have the support of the Ronald McDonald House during this period. He’s had 23 surgeries since then, one being his “life-saving” kidney transplant in December 2019. The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House provided us with a place to sleep, eat, and to be among other families going through similar situations allowing us to connect. Since Erica was unable to work and staying by Mason’s side every day, and me traveling back and forth from work to the hospital, it allowed me and our daughters to stay with them on weekends and attempt to be a family while living in the hospital. The staff and volunteers were so genuine and kind each time we stayed. Prior to staying there, Erica would volunteer and never expected to be a family in need herself. Thanks to generous supporters, we were fortunate to stay for free and only worry about caring our son, while they cared for our needs.” – Rich Spencer, Mason’s Dad
Harper Peliah Tretola was born on October 18th, 2013 after spending the first 9 months of her life (222 days in the NICU at CHOP after being given a ZERO% chance of survival. Harper was diagnosed with Hydrops Fetalis, also known as Fetal Hydrops at the 20- week mark in utero. Doctors found through ultrasound, fluid in multiple compartments of Harper’s body and were extremely concerned for her life and development forward. Harper’s mother Rachael then underwent 2 fetal surgeries at CHOP, where they placed shunts through her belly and into Harper’s chest to release some of the fluid that was encroaching around Harper’s heart and lungs. Due to Rachael and I losing our son Jameson 1 year prior to the same diagnosis, we were then the 9th documented case in the world to have Fetal Hydrops occur in consecutive pregnancies.
At the 31- week mark, one of the shunts dislodged from Harper’s chest and her body began to fill back up with fluid. Rachael immediately underwent an emergency C-section to deliver Harper, and the delivery doctors in the Special Delivery Unit stated to us, “We will do everything we possibly can to deliver your baby alive, but we aren’t positive we will be able to.
On October 18th, 2013, Harper was born and rushed immediately into the NICU sicker then any of us or her doctors could have imagined. At 3 weeks old, Harper underwent a procedure called a Lymphangiogram where the lymphatic system within the body is outlined through MRI. The radiologists then discovered that Harper did not have a “Thoracic Duct” which is the main lymphatic pathway in the body, and due to an absent Thoracic Duct, she was accumulating all of the fluid. It was also stated to us from the radiologists that although medicine is profoundly advanced, there are still some things that can’t be explained nor treated, and Harper is one of those cases because there was nothing medically they could do to “fix” or “create” a Thoracic Duct. Our journey, while still in the physical hands of the amazing doctors at CHOP, was then given to GOD and us believing without doubt that Jesus would heal our baby girl just as his mighty healing word says!
Rachael and I lived at the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street for the entire time Harper was in the NICU which provided us with shelter, food and the support from other families who were staying there while their sick children’s were receiving the special care that they needed.
This is where we met Jeff and Liz Bekos. An AMAZINGLY beautiful and welcoming couple who were going through their own indescribable journey with their daughter Hailey. Together, we were able to stay in fellowship and support one another through the very long and emotionally tough days. Jeff’s intimate passion for the RMHC was contagious and made us appreciate what they were doing for us and so many other families even more! Rachael and I, as well as our entire family are FOREVER grateful for the RMHC as without them, we would not have been able to be with Harper each and everyday of her 222 day journey!
On July 14th, 2014, after an impossible 9 month, faith-led journey, thanks to the incredible doctors and nurses at CHOP, and ultimately the “Miraculous” healing from Jesus, Harper was discharged from CHOP and we brought her HOME!
Harper is now a 10 ½ year old, INCREDIBLY smart, talented, and hysterically jovial personality who is about to enter the 5th Grade! We cannot express our deepest “Thank You” to the Ronald McDonald House for ALL that they did for us, our family, The Bekos family and COUNTLESS other families since the inception of the 1st house on October 15th, 1974 in Philadelphia!