Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA, we are privileged to walk alongside families during some of their most challenging moments. The following is a family story that reflects the impact of that support.

A few years ago, I was blessed with our 4th healthy pregnancy and a dream water birth at our home in Southern PA. Enoch joined our family of 5 shortly after midnight on September 19, 2024. We were overjoyed. My other children met their baby brother later that morning, and we took family photos of them holding him.

Suddenly, things took an unexpected turn. My mama instincts sensed something was off when Enoch began to look lethargic, pale, and experienced labored breathing. After speaking to the midwife over the phone, she had an assistant come to our house to take his vitals. Again, everything looked okay. We were told to keep him warm, and to follow our instincts and take him to the ER if things did not improve.

Moments later, I had to do just that. I told my husband to load up the family and drop Enoch and me off at the nearest Emergency Room. Our daughter joined us because she was so concerned for her baby brother. After we were called back, the room grew more and more crowded with doctors and nurses. Enoch was changing colors and turning purple and blue. After stabilizing him and running tests, the medical team decided to fly him over an hour away to Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, and our lives changed forever.

After arrival at Penn State Children’s Hospital and further evaluation, Enoch was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Without treatment, this condition is fatal within days. His treatment plan required three open heart surgeries, two of which he has already undergone successfully, with the third expected when he is older.

Within the first 6 months of his life, we visited Ronald McDonald House Charities in Hershey 8 times and stayed 45 nights in order to remain close to him during his surgeries and procedures at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Initially, our family spent time in the Ronald McDonald House Family Room on the 8th floor of the hospital. We were able to have meals there, take coffee and hot cocoa breaks, and the children enjoyed snacks from the Hospitality Cart. Since I was postpartum and did not initially have my vehicle, the shuttle between the hospital and the Ronald McDonald House was also extremely helpful.

As a stay-at-home mother, it was very important for me to remain with my older children as well. Without the Ronald McDonald House, it would not have been possible for our entire family to stay close to Enoch. My children loved staying at the House, playing in the playroom, and meeting other families from all over the world. I would sit nearby watching them play while taking a moment to rest.

I was amazed at how children were able to connect and play together even without speaking the same language. They also loved being able to stay together as a family, enjoy snacks provided to us, and choose toys from the treasure room during each visit.

The laundry facilities were essential, especially for Enoch’s blankets and clothing. The meals and baked goods prepared by volunteers were deeply appreciated. The kitchen areas allowed us to prepare meals when needed, and the family spaces gave us moments of rest during long hospital days.

We are incredibly grateful for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Hershey and everything it provided for our family during this time. It allowed us to stay together, support Enoch through his medical journey, and maintain some sense of stability during a very difficult and uncertain season of life.

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and donors who make this possible. Your support creates a place of comfort, hope, and peace for families like ours during some of their most critical moments.

Enoch is now 19 months and has been thriving. He loves to explore the world around him, walk and play with his push and ride toys. He loves to sing a whole playlist of his favorite songs including his ABC's. He loves playing with his older siblings and gives and blows many kisses to us with daily “I love you's”. He brings so much joy to our home, and I cannot imagine life without him. He has come a long way, thanks to the medical care of Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, Children's Heart Group, and the hospitalization of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Enoch is about to be scheduled for a catheterization procedure to balloon open a right narrowing artery near his heart in the upcoming months. We are blessed to have the possible availability of staying at RMCH if the need arises.

Sincerely,

Nathania Kirby