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Imagine frantically searching for answers to why your baby is struggling to eat, breathe and thrive. No one in your local medical community can tell you what’s wrong. “I just kept praying to God, please help me find out what’s wrong with my baby,” said Dawn, Lexi’s mom. 

As an infant, little Lexi was in and out of the hospital with a number of medical issues. “As a mom, you just know when something’s not right with your baby. Lexi would sleep 20 hours a day. She would struggle to breathe during feedings and turn purple. She would just stop breathing. One day, we were so scared we called 911 for an ambulance,” said Dawn.    

Within 16 hours of arriving at the local emergency room, Lexi was referred to Michigan Medicine’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. Following a CAT scan, Dawn overheard the neurologist say, “Oh my God, that’s the largest tumor I’ve ever seen.” Little Lexi’s massive tumor started in her tiny spinal cord, then expanded as it traveled upward into her delicate brain.  

Lexi’s first brain surgery occurred two days later and took 18 hours to perform. She would go on to have yet another brain surgery. She endured an additional two-and-a-half years of intermittent chemotherapy, followed by another five months of radiation. During these hospital stays, Lexi’s family who lived an hour away, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House located across the street from C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

“We were trying to save our daughter’s life, without neglecting our son Brent. Ronald McDonald House was our place to be a family. It’s where we could spend time with our son, take a nap and be back by Lexi’s side within a 5-minute walk. They always went the extra mile to help take the worry off our shoulders,” said Dawn. 

Dawn’s mother stayed at the House with Brent while Dawn and Rick, Lexi’s dad, went back and forth to the hospital. Occasionally, they would get some time to play in the play room or watch a video with their son.  “It meant so much to get an hour of normal,” said Dawn. “Being at the hospital all the time is so overwhelming; you sometimes need to walk away and regroup.” She is appreciative that the Ronald McDonald House gave her the flexibility to do that.

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© RMHC 2017
The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates; McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

RMHC is recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations to RMHC are deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisor for questions regarding deductibility. The RMHC EIN is 38-2473817. A copy of the RMHC determination letter is available upon request.

Contact us at: 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | Phone: 734-994-4442 | Fax: 734-994-4919

    Welcome
    About
  • Impact Report and Financial Info
  • Our Relationship with McDonald’s
  • Relationship with the Medical Community
  • Board of Directors
  • Mission and History
  • Job Postings
  • Contact
  • Staff
    How to Stay
  • Directions to the Main House
  • Directions to the Mott House
  • Main House Tour
  • Mott House Tour
    Get Involved
  • Red Shoe Society Events and Info
  • Host an Event
  • Volunteer as a Group
  • Meals Matter
  • Wishlist & Holidays
  • Pop Tabs
  • Vehicle Donation
  • Amazon Smile
  • Hospitality a la Carte Program
    News and Events
  • Current Newsletter
  • Red Shoe Affair
  • Information for Media
  • Press Releases
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