Finding Solutions: Ronald McDonald House steps in to help families
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Helping families with critically injured or sick kids, that’s where the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta steps in.
Not everyone receiving care at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia lives in the CSRA, but the Ronald McDonald House is here to fill that void for families that need a place to stay.
With a fundraiser coming up for the organization, you at home can be a part of finding solutions for the families they serve.
Bridget Griffin is from Brunswick Georgia and has been coming to stay at the Ronald McDonald house for five months.
Her world changed when she found out that her then 2-month-old baby boy, Akari, had a brain tumor.
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“The diagnosis was Choroid Plexus Carcinoma where we found he had a tumor the size of a baseball,” said Griffin.
Akari, now 7 months old, had surgery to remove the tumor at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia a couple of months after being born.
“He was so small and it was hard and overbearing because I just thought how could my little baby be going through all of this,” she said.
Two months after surgery, another tumor appeared in the brain, causing Akari to have surgery again.
At 7 months old, he’s had a total of four surgeries.
“He’s definitely been a fighter through his treatments and everything else and I’m so proud of him, but it’s definitely a battle, but seeing him go, it keeps me going and I’m staying strong for him,” said Griffin.
With Griffin living in Brunswick, that’s where the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta stepped in. She is able to stay in their 23-bedroom house while Akari receives the treatment he needs.
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“They called me back the next day and said they had a room for us and I came with literally nothing, so I was grateful to take a shower and have a hot meal,” she said.
Griffin says she has had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House more than 30 different times.
“I’m forever grateful for the Ronald McDonald House for letting us stay here and giving us the opportunity to be close to the hospital,” said Griffin.
Akari is currently receiving chemotreatment at the children’s hospital.
You can families like Griffin’s by attending the Wine, Women, and Shoes fundraiser on Oct. 24 at the Bell Auditorium where your own Zayna Haliburton will be hosting the event.
If you can’t make that, you can always the Ronald McDonald House of Augusta by donating or volunteering.
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