The Latest Buzz

The following speech was given by Evan Hannah to guests at the 2010 RMHC Social. The Hannah family stayed at Portland's Ronald McDonald House East for 28 nights. 

On December 24, 2009 my family's life was forever changed and a new chapter in our lives was opened, which has ultimately brought us before you tonight. My daughter Marissa was diagnosed with a very rare neurological disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Briefly, this disease sends mixed signals from a specific area in their body to their brain causing increased pain to the point that even the slightest touch, a warm shower, or even a breeze can cause excruciating pain which can lead to paralysis of the limb(s).

Fortunately, we were able to find our way to Portland and meet with a team of experts that were able to treat this disease. We toured Legacy Emanuel Hospital, met with the physician and found a treatment that would consist of inpatient rehabilitation averaging approximately four weeks and potentially longer based on our daughter's response to the treatment. While ecstatic that we had finally found a treatment facility for our daughter, thoughts of displacing my family for this amount of time, lodging, time off work, and all this while ensuring that we focus 100% on our daughter's recovery was a little overwhelming to say the least, so the hospital staff recommended staying at the Ronald McDonald House located on the hospital campus. We made an appoitnment to tour the facility and from the moment we walked into the house we were greeted by the friendly staff who assured us that they would be able to assist us. After touring the facility, it was like a huge burden had been lifted from us knowing this type of charity was available and we would be able to focus solely on our daughter's recovery. So now, the only other pressing issues were finding someone to mow the grass and keep the dog for a month. 

Fortunately our situation allowed time to plan for our accomodations, however many families do not have this opportunity and find themselves in a situation where lodging cannot be prearranged, again the Ronald McDonald House is waiting for them with open arms.

My wife and daughter made the trip a few days before myself (still working on that dog sitter), so when I got to the Ronald McDonald House my wife had already started developing relationships with some of the families staying there. Every day we would meet new people and listen to their stories. The kitchen was definitely the place where stories were exchanged. Coffee and a cookie, or a meal brought in by one of the many volunteers was a sure fire way of getting a conversation started.

The Ronald McDonald House turned out to be a great coping mechanism for my wife and I. This stems back to the design of the house and not just from an architectural standpoint. The feeling of a warm home versus a place to stay was part of that design and certainly lives up to the Ronald McDonald House charity motto of "A home away from home."

In our day-to-day interaction with families at the Ronald McDonald House we shared stories about loved ones diagnosed with cancer, premature babies, trauma, burn patients, eating disorders, congenital defects and in our case rare neurological diseases. All of these families are a testament of the human spirit and just how much they can endure. These people are another support structure that my wife and I did not forsee, yet it was another dimension, either by design or through attrition that makes the Ronald McDonald House a home and not just a place to stay.

The staff at the house was incredible to say the least. Their kindness and generosity extended well beyond their daily duties and responsibilities. Concern, empathy and kindness were displayed to all families, and are a common trait with staff members at the Ronald McDonald House.

A group of people that truly define charity are the volunteers. Volunteers help with an array of household chores, decorating for the holidays, and organizing fun activities for families. In addition there are the volunteers that help with stress reduction, either by a chair massage or a visit from one of the therapy dogs (which my daughter enjoyed immensley). Then there is the food, the volunteers who bring breakfast, lunch and dinner on any given day, and a meal would not be complete without cookies. This comfort food was always present at the Ronald McDonald House and stole the title of Portland's "City of Roses" to the "City of Cookies." One volunteer in particular has a unique situation. Mary, a volunteer on Wednesdays, bakes cookies for the guests of the house. Mary and her employer developed a program which allows her to receive compensation for hours donated while doing what she loves "baking," and allowing her employer to give back to the community. 

In these tough economic times, when you have the Ronald McDonald House asking for donations to ensure that families all over the country have a place to stay when a family member is sick or injured in the hospital, please remember our story and the important role the Ronald McDonald House played in our recovery process.

To those staff members who reach out to their community asking for donations needed for maintenance, improvements, and other operational costs associated with the Ronald McDonald Houses, remember these words by Winston Churchill "Never, Never, Never Give up." My family and I are a true testament to your dedication and hard work.

My family and I would like to thank the Ronald McDonald House Board of Trustees, the advisory board, administrative staff, house staff, and all the volunteers. All of whom make this place possible to be here for families like mine. Thank you.


The Hannah family meet screenwriter Mike Rich and film director John Lee Hancock at the RMHC Social.