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The Hall Family

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:12:02 GMT

The Hall Family - David, Hannah, Daniel, and DJ

The First Stay at the Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga – 50 nights!

David and Hannah Hall of Cookeville, Tennessee, stayed at Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga to be close to their newborn twin boys, Daniel and DJ, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Daniel weighed 4 lbs 4 oz and needed help breathing. DJ weighed 1 lb 4 oz and needed time to grow and learn to breathe and eat on his own.

Staying at the House meant David and Hannah didn’t face a two-hour drive or hotel bills. When Daniel was ready to leave the hospital halfway through their stay, he joined his parents at the House while DJ kept growing in the NICU.

Best memory for these parents: Being able to have a home for [Daniel].

Hannah and David shared: “This is [Daniel’s] first home so to speak…this is where he got his first bath outside the NICU, this is where he got his first bottle after the NICU this is where he will have slept for many nights. Even though our family is not together and we’re missing a piece, he’s still living as normal as possible. I think that’s the best thing about being here, we can give [Daniel] the quality that he deserves.”

The Second Stay at the Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga – 30 nights!

A few weeks later, both boys contracted RSV and returned to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, this time on ventilators and receiving blood infusions. David and Hannah checked back into the House so they could be by their sons’ side every day.

Hannah shared just how intense it was for their family:

“There were a lot of days for Daniel and weeks for DJ that we had no idea if we were going to get to take them home. I’m sitting here right now watching my two little boys squirm on the floor and play with toys and there were a few days I didn’t know if that would happen…if I would leave with two babies, one baby or no babies. I’m just really really thankful and David is too and our families for all the love and support that we received while we were there. It made a really traumatic situation a little easier and that’s something we’ll never be able to say thank you enough for!”

What the House provided

No two-hour drive and no hotel costs
A bed, a shower, and snacks steps from their boys
“We actually had a bed with pillows and a shower, snacks and things like that.”
Homemade meals to come “home” to
A place to rest while family stayed with the boys in the PICU

Thank you to our donors. Your gifts let families like the Halls stay near the care their children need, together, when life is turned upside down.

Sallie Brooks Found Refuge at Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:12:01 GMT

Sallie Brooks gives back to Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga as a donor, volunteer, and board member. Her connection began 22 years ago, when the House became her family’s refuge.

“I didn’t realize the scope of our mission at Ronald McDonald House until my daughter was in a car wreck and we had spent two nights in the waiting room,” said Sallie. “Finally someone said you can go over across the street and there’s a place for you.”

Sallie and her late husband, Mark, were at Erlanger Hospital after their 16-year-old daughter, Kelly, was seriously injured in a car accident. Kelly needed several emergency surgeries, and the family learned she was paralyzed from the waist down.

Family and friends filled the waiting room with support, but Sallie and Mark had no quiet place to process what was happening or plan their next steps.

“It was wonderful to have that support from family and friends, but also I had no time to process what was going on or figure out what we needed to do,” shared Sallie. “So, looking back, I always say when we came to the Ronald McDonald House it became our refuge. ”

For two weeks, the House gave Sallie and Mark a quiet place to rest, think, and plan, a short walk from Kelly’s bedside. “It was a place Mark and I could get away from the crowd and we could even sleep a little,” said Sallie. “I will never forget the two weeks that you served me and I was in the worst state of my life I had no idea what I was doing half the time, but I didn’t have to because you all were just providing anything and everything.”

Meals were ready, so they never had to wonder where the next one would come from. Their two younger daughters came after school to eat with them, giving the family time together in the middle of a crisis.

“The girls would come after school and eat the Ronald McDonald House meals with us and it would give us family time,” said Sallie. “ Food is necessary to nourish our bodies, but it is also a comfort and a place that people can gather to eat and reconnect.”

During their stay, Sallie also saw how the House supports every family going through something similar.

“Where you see the most people in this house is about two in the morning in that big kitchen. You hadn’t eaten all day because you’re trying to process,” said Sallie. “Nobody is here that’s not going through something horrible and everybody was in the middle of the night trying to find something to eat. You’d be in your pajamas in the kitchen and you run into everybody raiding the refrigerator.”

“I think everybody can relate to being fed and comforted in a difficult time in their lives,” said Sallie. “To this day, when I walk through that door my stomach flip flops. There is a smell in this house that brings all the memories back and that’s why I am so grateful for this house.”

Today, Sallie’s family helps keep other families close. During the House’s kitchen renovation in early 2022, they funded an ADA-compliant section of the kitchen in honor of Mark and Kelly. Sallie continues to volunteer, serve on the board, and advocate for keeping families close at Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga.

“This place has my heart and I think it always will,” said Sallie.

Mission Moment: The Runyon Family

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:12:01 GMT

Paige and Brian Runyon live an hour from Erlanger Hospital. Since their twins, Wallace and Whitleigh, were born, Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga has given them a place to stay across the street through many surgeries and checkups.

Both babies needed the NICU at birth. Wallace went home after a week. Whitleigh was born with VACTERL association, which affects several of her body’s systems, and had 14 surgeries by age five. Doctors once told her parents she might never walk or speak.

Today, Whitleigh walks, talks, does cartwheels (one-handed ones too), sings every chance she gets, and loves Cheetos. Staying at the House spares Paige and Brian the hour-long drive, so they can rest nearby and stay with her through each procedure.

This is what Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga is about: keeping families together and close to their child when it matters most.

The Pantanella Family

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:59 GMT

Tony and Amanda Pantanella stayed at Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga while their daughter, Melody, grew stronger in the NICU at Erlanger, an hour from their home.

At her 28-week checkup, Amanda was diagnosed with preeclampsia and admitted to Erlanger. Three days later, her condition became critical, and doctors performed an emergency C-section. Before the surgery, Tony and their doula prayed over Amanda. Melody was born at 7:24 a.m., weighing one pound, 13 ounces.

Amanda was discharged on April 21, but Melody still needed time in the NICU. The couple’s social worker connected them with Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga, across the street from the hospital. Looking back on their first night at the House, Amanda says, “It was relief. I walk into this house not like anything… it does feel like our temporary home…it’s amazing.”

Staying at the House spared Tony and Amanda an hour-long commute each way, so they could be with Melody every day. “First day here our friend brought us food and we ate out on that patio. [It was] the first time I’d seen the sun in over a week… best meal of my life.” Amanda recalls happily. “It’s kind of normal now.” Tony says while the couple was nearing their 6 week mark at the house. “We call this home. Let’s go home…if we didn’t have this place here our lives would look completely different.”

“This has been an absolute game changer for us and really allowed us to be present with our daughter and be there for her…” Tony continues, “ We have felt extremely helpless in this situation. But being here at the house has helped us not feel hopeless. So many things are out of our control, having some stability of just being able to walk across the street, have a place to eat a meal, rest and lay our head down on a nice comfortable bed, do our laundry- it’s just all the things that we take for granted. It’s just so easily accessible here… this place has made us feel so welcomed."

Flash forward to October 2023, Melody Elise just turned 6 months old, and Amanda and Tony are enjoying their beautiful new life as Mom and Dad. The sweet trio came down to our Golf Classic this month to spend some time with their Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga family. We enjoyed beautiful weather, a yummy lunch, and caught up with one another. Amanda fondly told us how the experience jogged her memory of volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga with her mother in her youth and how she would explain, “These people are going through a hard time…we are here to serve them.”

Home for the Holidays

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:58 GMT

Nineteen years ago, Donna and Marty Lowe spent Christmas at Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga. Their son, Mason, was born eight weeks early with fluid in his lungs and needed time in the NICU to heal and learn to breathe on his own. When the couple couldn’t find an available hotel room, a nurse who overheard them suggested the House. “The nurse helped Marty coordinate with the staff, and by the time I was released from the hospital, RMHC had arranged everything for us. We had a place to stay across the street from our son, which was priceless,” Donna says. “Staying at the Ronald McDonald House saved us both financially and emotionally. Knowing we were just steps away from Mason allowed us to be close when we couldn’t physically be with him. When your child is in the NICU, you can’t stay all day; there are scheduled times for visits. Being nearby was invaluable and kept us grounded during those long days and nights.”

Through meals prepared with care, welcoming accommodations, and many support services provided by dedicated volunteers and staff, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga seeks to offer a semblance of relief and normalcy during extraordinarily challenging times. “The Ronald McDonald House felt familiar from the moment we arrived,” Donna says, “At first, there was an awkwardness because you don’t know what to expect. You don’t want to impose or overstay your welcome. But those feelings quickly faded because of the warmth and love that filled the house. It was Christmas time, yet the staff and volunteers were there, making sure everything was taken care of, just as they would any other day. What surprised us most was the seamless way they provided every necessity—a room, shower, kitchen, and the comfort of a home.”

The holidays are meant to be spent with loved ones, and Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga understands this power. “Spending the holiday season away from home, with your child in the NICU, is heartbreaking. Christmas should be joyful, but with Mason's uncertain health, it was hard to find that joy. The hospital felt somber and quiet. When we moved to the Ronald McDonald House, everything changed,” Donna says, recalling a memory of making ornaments with other families facing similar circumstances. “The holiday spirit was alive there- it was warm, celebratory, and filled with care. The staff brought the comfort and joy of the season into our lives, creating an atmosphere of love and compassion.”

Families staying at the House often find solace in one another, as they are experiencing similar hardships. “We shared the Ronald McDonald House with many other families, each of us bound by similar, heartbreaking experiences. Among them was a couple who had a baby girl admitted to the NICU on the same day as Mason. Although we didn’t see them often, every encounter with them at the RMHC was a moment to exchange updates and lean on each other. Tragically, their daughter didn’t make it, but those conversations left an indelible mark on us,” Donna remembers. “In the face of such uncertainty, the Ronald McDonald House brought us together, creating bonds that are impossible to forget . As a mother, my mind would often wander to worst-case scenarios, making it hard to sleep. One comforting memory was waking up in the middle of the night and heading to the kitchen. Once, I found some homemade cookies left for the families. I can’t recall what kind they were, but another parent and I ended up talking for what seemed like hours—long enough to finish the remaining cookies. Those quiet moments, often shared with other parents, became therapeutic. We exchanged stories, shared our worries, and found a silent understanding that helped us feel less alone.”

The House is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so fresh meals, laundry, and comfortable beds are there for families on holidays too. Beyond the House, the Ronald McDonald House® Family Room, Mindful Room, and Ronald McDonald House: House to Home programs support families throughout their child’s care and after discharge.

Stories like Donna, Marty, and Mason’s are why Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga exists: to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

More Than a Meal

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:57 GMT

Celebrating 35 years of comfort, care, and community at Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga

There is something about food that can hold people together, especially when life feels like it is falling apart. At Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga, a warm meal is never just food. It is comfort, connection, and a reminder that families are not facing their hardest days alone.

For the last thirty-five years, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga has provided lodging, meals, and support for families with critically ill or injured children receiving treatment just steps away at nearby hospitals. When families are navigating hospital stays, treatment plans, and the weight of the unknown, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga strives to be their safety net. That is why we provide lodging, laundry, hygiene necessities, and meals at no cost to families.

Families come through our doors carrying unimaginable stress. They’re juggling hospital visits, medical decisions, and long stretches of uncertainty. In the middle of medical chaos, a warm plate of food has the power to do more than just provide sustenance, but comfort as well. That’s why every day, our team and community volunteers prepare and serve meals to the families staying under our roof.

The Brown family, one of the many supported over the past year, shared just how powerful that kind of care can be. On their first night at the House, Audrea Brown sat down to a familiar dish: chicken casserole. It happened to be her favorite meal growing up, one her mom often made at home. That small moment meant a lot more than familiarity. “It’s a House you never think you’ll have to use, but when you do, it’s a Home you never forget,” said her husband, Ethan.

At Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga, the dinner table becomes a place where strangers become support systems. In the Great Room kitchen, families who may have never met before find themselves sitting side by side, opening up about their children, their stories, and their hopes. In a season full of uncertainty, that kind of shared understanding can be just as healing as the meals themselves.

The Great Kitchen is open 24/7 and intentionally stocked with healthy snacks and grab-and-go meals, making sure families always have what they need day or night. Within the last year, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga has hired a Kitchen Manager/ Chef who provides more than just nourishment- through delicious, from-scratch meals, baked goods, and warm conversation, she creates a comforting space that feeds both body and spirit. Parents often stop in on their way to or from the hospital, grabbing something quick before heading back to their child’s bedside. It’s one less thing to worry about, and one more way we let them know we’ve got their back. In a world of medical charts, hospital corridors, and constant uncertainty, something as simple as a warm plate of food or a stocked fridge becomes a visible expression of care.

This June (2025), Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga is proud to launch our Restaurant Give Back Month, inviting the community to help us continue providing this support to our families simply by enjoying your favorite restaurants. Throughout the month, generous community partners will donate a portion of their proceeds to help us continue keeping families near one another and the care they need. Head to our website to find out where you’re going to enjoy your next meal that heals.

As we reflect on our 35 years, there is deep gratitude for the families who have trusted Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga with their hardest days, and for the volunteers, donors, and partners who continue to show up with love and generosity, plate by plate, year after year. These acts of kindness make each meal more than just food, they become a reminder that healing doesn’t happen alone.

Hope Under Every Roof

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:56 GMT

Southern Roofing and Exteriors

At Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga, we believe that our mission works best when it feels like family and few reflect that spirit more beautifully than the team at Southern Roofing and Exteriors.

For the past year and a half, Chris and DeeDee Dyer along with their son and C.E.O, Terrell, have shown up faithfully through our Adopt-A-Meal program, preparing dinner once a month for the families staying at our House. DeeDee plans the meals, cooks them with care, and brings a sense of comfort that can’t be measured in servings. “Children are my heart,” DeeDee shared. “RMHC has always been on our radar — we’re just grateful for the opportunity to give back.”

Their impact doesn’t stop in the kitchen. It’s woven into their company culture.

A few weeks ago, one of their team members, Josh, started volunteering with us for Adopt-A-Meal and something clicked. After helping serve dinner, he came back for more: supporting our BugaPalüza event, helping at the front desk, and even bringing his fiancée, McKayla, to serve alongside him.

What Josh shared afterward left us teary eyed. “These people are putting families together.” He said that being here and seeing the mission in action — gave him the confidence to propose.

But what makes Josh’s story even more powerful is what brought him here.

When Josh was 12 years old, he collapsed after a cold cross-country meet. What followed was a sudden diagnosis of pectus excavatum, a severe chest wall deformity that required major open-heart surgery. Doctors placed a stabilizing bar across his chest, and he spent seven months on bed rest. During that time, with 75 miles between their home and the hospital, Josh’s family, his parents and two younger siblings, stayed at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for six days.

Now, years later, he’s back in a Ronald McDonald House — not as a patient or a guest, but as a volunteer. A giver.

We’re so grateful to the Dyer family and Southern Roofing and Exteriors for the love they’ve poured into our mission. From meals, to memories, to moments of connection that remind us why we do what we do.

They are, in every sense, helping us keep families together.

Thirty-Five Years, One Mission

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:55 GMT

Thirty-five years ago, the doors of 200 Central Avenue welcomed its first family home. Then another, then another. Since its inception in November of 1990, thousands of families have called Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga “Home.”

This House is much more than a building, it is a place where parents can find peace over a cup of coffee, siblings can make fast friends in the playroom, and a long day in the hospital can end with a shared meal and the comfort of not being alone. Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga hallways have seen spirits break and heal- but one thing stays the same: the families are the heart of the Home.

For three and a half decades, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga’s mission has remained unwavering: To provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. More than just a place to sleep, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga offers home-cooked meals, a warm bed, and a supportive community that understands the emotional toll of medical trauma. No matter the length of time or service utilized, the goal is to lift the strain families are facing.

Every room in the House holds a powerful story. Some begin with the fear of an early birth, others with a diagnosis no parent expects. In just the first few months of 2025, a mother found rest while her 9-year-old daughter received leukemia treatment next door at Erlanger. She was joined by her two younger daughters, and for 51 nights, this House became their safe place.

In another room, a mother stayed close during her newborn’s 112-day fight in the NICU. Her baby boy was born at just 24 weeks. She remained strong, showing up each day alone while dad continued working back home.

A few doors down, a family from Rhea County checked in after their newborn’s emergency transfer to the NICU. They stayed for 106 nights, finding strength in the rhythm of close hospital visits, prepared meals, and the community of other parents walking a similar road. These are not rare stories, but the reality inside the walls of Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga for the past 35 years.

From its beginnings as a 12-bedroom house, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga has grown into a multi-program organization focused on meeting families where they are. The Ronald McDonald House® Family Room at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, while Ronald McDonald House: House to Home provides support beyond a family’s stay. The addition of the Mindful Room offers a quiet, reflective space inside the House designed for emotional rest and healing.

This incredible work would not be possible without the generous support of the local community. From corporate sponsors and longtime donors to volunteers and Adopt-A-Meal groups, countless people have played a role in sustaining the mission. McDonald’s owner/operators, in particular, have been an essential part of the organization’s foundation and future, contributing not only funds but also time, heart, and advocacy since the facility’s inception.

Since 1990, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga has served thousands of families, each with a story that shaped the organization’s legacy. While the programs may grow and evolve, the aim will always be the same: to support families when they need it most, with compassion, understanding, and care.

As Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga celebrates this milestone anniversary, it also steps into a new season— one rooted in the same love that has carried the mission since day one. While much has changed, one thing never will: family will always be the heart of the Home.

The House That Chattanooga Built: 35 Years of Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:54 GMT

Honoring the service, partnership, and community that keep families close to one another and the care they need.

For 35 years, the promise of rest, food, a hot shower, and a short walk to a child’s bedside has defined Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga. The mission is clear: to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Since 1990, that mission has remained steadfast, sustained by a community that shows up. Since its inception, the House has served more than 20,000 families, providing lodging, meals, and support completely free of charge. While the average cost for one night’s stay is about $150, families never see a bill, thanks to the generosity of Chattanooga’s donors, volunteers, and business partners.

Over the years, Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga has expanded beyond its original 12-bedroom house into a 28-bedroom facility and two additional core programs designed to meet families where they are. The Ronald McDonald House® Family Room inside Children’s Hospital at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, offering rest and respite to anyone with a loved one in the hospital. Ronald McDonald House: House to Home, based at the Cleveland City Schools Denning Center for Family and Community Resources, serves families from Bradley County, the largest feeder county of guests to the Chattanooga House. The program helps families continue receiving support and resources after leaving the House, guiding them through recovery and transition back to daily life.

Much of the House’s lasting impact can be traced back to the leadership and vision that guided it from the beginning. Jane Kaylor, who served as CEO for 32 years before retiring in 2022, led the effort to bring Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga from an idea to a reality. Kaylor’s dedication to helping families began with her own. In the early 1980s, her daughter Lori battled leukemia for six years before passing away at age nine. During that time, Kaylor often traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and longed for a place where families could stay near their child, rest, and find comfort in the company of others who understood.

Years later, when Kaylor received a call asking if she would help determine whether Chattanooga needed a Ronald McDonald House, she didn’t hesitate. With the help of McDonald’s owner/operators, hospital leaders, and local businesses, she helped raise the funds to make the dream a reality. The House officially opened on Erlanger property under a unique agreement — a 40-year ground lease for $1 per year. Kaylor recalls one of the local McDonald’s owner/operators and former Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga board member, Ted Lyons, pulling out two $20 bills on the spot, prepaying the lease and setting the tone for a city that shows up. On November 18, 1990, the Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga opened its doors to its first family.

The same spirit of generosity that built the House soon led to a defining partnership that continues today. For more than two decades, iCON Air & Mechanical Services has been one of Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga’s most dependable and generous partners—providing HVAC and plumbing support, financial donations, and even payroll deduction opportunities so employees can give back directly.

For Glenn Conkle, President and COO of iCON Air & Mechanical Services, that commitment is deeply personal. “At iCON, we believe family is truly the backbone of our society,” Conkle shared. “When an unexpected illness or situation arises with one of our children, the last thing a family should have to worry about is where they will stay, where they will eat, or how long they will be gone from the hospital. When our youngest son was very ill and hospitalized many years ago, my wife and I personally experienced having to drive back and forth from home to the hospital, so we know the importance of being able to stay close by.”

That connection deepened when one of iCON’s own employees, Danny Fay, and his wife, Shauna, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga after their son was born prematurely. “To us, the Ronald McDonald House means one word—love,” the Fay family shared. “They opened their doors so we could be there for our son and cared for us through some very difficult days. We are forever grateful for the love they gave us when we needed it most.”

Conkle says it’s experiences like these that have shaped iCON’s long-standing partnership with Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga and strengthened their belief in the mission. “Not only has the core group of iCON employees been a partner of Ronald McDonald House for the last 25 years, but we’ve experienced firsthand the important service they provide. We are proud to be partners and sponsors of the Ronald McDonald House.”

Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Garland Sherman, has witnessed iCON’s impact on the House for decades. Before joining the staff, Sherman owned Garland Sherman Masonry, the company that bricked the original House during construction in the late 80’s. Captivated by the mission, he joined the Board of Directors in 2003, served for eight years, and often lent his expertise to House projects before officially taking on the role of overseeing its maintenance, a position he has held ever since.

“iCON has great qualified employees who understand our mission and are always willing to help us,” Sherman said. “They are a great partner for RMHC and help us out in any way they can.” He takes pride in ensuring every family that walks through the doors finds comfort and security in a space that feels like home. Thanks to partners like iCON, the House remains a place where families can focus on what matters most: their child’s healing.

Since stepping into his role in 2022, President and CEO Dr. Michael Brown has continued to lead the organization with the same compassion and purpose that defined its beginning. “When I accepted the RMHC Board’s offer to lead this incredible mission, it felt less like a choice and more like a calling,” Brown said. “From day one, I knew I was meant to be here. Meeting our passionate board members and volunteers, I was deeply moved by their love and commitment to our families. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of those who built this strong, compassionate foundation. Their legacy inspires us every day, and I’m honored to carry it forward with purpose and gratitude.”

It’s nearly impossible to capture what 35 years at Ronald McDonald House Greater Chattanooga truly mean: decades of trust, service, and compassion that have carried thousands of families through their hardest days, and the community that keeps showing up to make it possible.

The House’s First Guest

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:53 GMT

In mid-October 1990, four-year-old Daniel Bailer became very sick with pneumonia and was admitted to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. What began as a hospital stay quickly became a long and uncertain time for his family. Daniel spent nearly 50 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and about 70 days total in the hospital.

At the time, the Bailer family lived in Dalton, about a 45-minute drive away. Renee stayed in Chattanooga during the week while her husband continued working. Each night, she slept in the PICU waiting room, resting in chairs and using a public restroom to shower. Most of her time was spent just outside Daniel’s room.

Daniel’s condition became critical. He needed a ventilator and later a tracheostomy, which extended his stay. Through it all, Renee relied on the nurses and doctors caring for her son. “The nurses and doctors became my lifeline,” Renee said. “They knew I was sleeping in the waiting room chairs every night.”

About a week before the Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga officially opened, founding director Jane Kaylor and hospital staff approached Renee and asked if she would like to stay at the House. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Renee said. “They told me I could come over and sleep in a real bed, and I said, ‘Take me!’ It was like a godsend.”

Renee was hesitant at first to leave the hospital, even briefly, but staff reassured her she was in good hands and Daniel was only steps away. She was given a pager in case Daniel needed her and knew security could get in contact if anything happened overnight. She agreed and became the first guest to ever stay at the House.

Renee stayed for about a week in a handicap-accessible room with a private bathroom, shower, and bed. For the first time in weeks, she was able to rest. “The peace and quiet were incredible,” she recalled. “I’d been surrounded by people and hospital noise for weeks. To sit on a couch, to breathe, to feel cared for—it was life-changing.”

Today, Daniel is 39 years old. He is wheelchair-bound but healthy and works as a sculptor and artist, creating and selling his artwork.

“It was like angels sent me there,” Renee said. “That place gave me rest when I didn’t know how I was going to keep going. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”

The Johnson Family

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:52 GMT

After giving birth at eight months and undergoing an emergency C-section, Toni Ann Johnson learned her son, Azari-Asher, would need to stay in the NICU. With limited mobility, her team at Erlanger referred her to Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga so she could remain close while recovering.

“I stayed for almost three weeks and it was the best experience having gone through that painful ordeal,” Toni Ann said. “I remember how safe and welcoming the environment was and the staff was always there to greet us with a smile or give us extra treats.” Having a place so close to the hospital gave her comfort during a difficult time. “The biggest help was the convenience of it all being so close and not feeling lost or like you’re going through it alone,” she shared.

“The whole experience was such a blessing and memorable; it meant the world to me just to be able to talk and share laughs with the staff and other families there,” Toni Ann said. “Not having to think about anything apart from rest and your baby was the ultimate gift and we are forever grateful to RMHC.”

Today, both Toni Ann and Azari-Asher are healthy and thriving.

The Clark Family

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:11:50 GMT

When Roger and Tracy Clark’s 22-year-old daughter, Summer, was driving home on May 5, 2025, their ordinary day took a devastating turn. After losing consciousness behind the wheel, she was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered she had experienced a seizure caused by a frontal lobe brain mass. “I remember being in shock, scared, and trying to hold back the tears,” Tracy shared.

Summer was transferred to Erlanger, where she underwent brain surgery just two days later. The biopsy revealed a Grade 3 glioma, requiring six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. “We live about an hour and a half from Erlanger, so I knew we had to be closer,” Tracy said. That’s when she was connected with Ronald McDonald House® Greater Chattanooga. “The staff were so helpful, kind, and supportive, and that made us feel at home during one of the most difficult times in our family.”

“It was so convenient to walk across the road to her appointments,” Tracy said. “She was also sick from chemo, so being close and not having to face interstate traffic for three hours a day was such a blessing.” The meals, snacks, and support of the staff provided comfort, stability, and relief. “During a season of life when you don’t know what tomorrow holds, your family is your greatest support. Not only did we have our immediate family nearby, we had an extended RMH family that gave their all in helping us make it through.” Summer added, “It wasn’t just a house, it was a home filled with love and understanding. I can honestly say that the Ronald McDonald House helped save my life because it gave me the stability and encouragement I needed to keep fighting.”