Molly

Age: 7
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA
Diagnosis: Monosomy 7, Myleodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Refractory Anemia
 

LIKE MANY CHILDREN her age, Molly, 7, caught a flu-bug last winter. Only hers didn’t go away. As a result, her pediatrician did blood tests, which showed low white blood cell counts. Further tests led doctors to diagnose her with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Monosomy 7, along with Myleodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), and Refractory Anemia. So that she wouldn't progress to full blown leukemia, she needed to have a bone marrow stem cell transplant at Seattle Children's. During her treatment, she would need to be within minutes of the hospital at all times.

Molly and her dad, Andrew, left their home in Gig Harbor and headed immediately for Seattle. They were soon joined by Molly’s grandmother, Linda, who has been with them the 120-plus days they have lived at the House. “I’m a single dad. Doing this on my salary would have been impossible,” says Andrew. “We were always the family who helped others when we were growing up, so accepting help has been new for me. But I’m so thankful we have it. Living here means we have one less thing to worry about – and more time to focus on Molly’s health.”

Although Molly misses her friends, family and her dog, Tuck, she’s found an extended family at the Ronald McDonald House. She is very excited that doctors recently cleared her and her next door neighbor, Valerie, to spend time together. She also loves checking out movies from our Family Resource Center and spending time with our pet therapy dogs.

“We are all just normal families with sick kids,” says Linda, Molly’s grandmother. “The last thing you expect is for your child or grandchild to be diagnosed with a serious illness. Knowing we have a place to stay means so much. Everyone here has wrapped their arms around us and helped us through this difficult journey.