When 14-year-old Nataly Gonzalez began experiencing dizzy spells in gym class—along with chest pains and shortness of breath—her family knew something was wrong. A visit to the ER near their hometown of Entiat, Washington, led to a referral to Seattle Children’s for further testing. That’s when everything changed: Nataly was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer.
Since then, the Ronald McDonald House has been Nataly’s temporary home while she undergoes treatment. Her mom stayed with her during the first four months, before returning home to care for Nataly’s siblings and go back to work. Since January, her grandma Kelly has been by her side full-time.
Being away from home hasn’t been easy. Nataly misses her siblings, friends, and pets. But at the House, she’s surrounded by others who just get it.
“I like that I can be myself,” she said. “Seeing other kids and families that are going through big challenges too helps me not feel as alone.”
Out in the community, Nataly sometimes notices people staring when they see her with a nasal tube or without hair.
“It can feel like you’re being looked at like a monster or alien,” she wrote in a story about her experience. “We just want to be looked at as regular teenagers.”
Inside the House, that judgment disappears.
For Nataly’s grandma Kelly, the House has become more than just a place to stay.
“When we go home, it actually feels weird, because this has kind of turned into our safe zone,” Kelly shared. “There’s a lot of support here. Everybody helps each other, even if it’s just sitting down and talking.”
That connection has sustained them through long months of treatment. Kelly especially appreciates how staff and volunteers take time to check in and make sure families feel cared for.
Despite the challenges, Nataly finds bright spots every day. She loves movie nights, the teen room, and the therapy dogs most of all. “They always make my day. I love their visits—especially Morty,” she said with a smile.
While she has made a few close friends during her time here, it’s the everyday interactions with staff and volunteers that truly make Nataly feel at home. “All the staff are really kind. They’ve become my friends.”
Creativity has been a lifeline for Nataly. She enjoys spending time in the Ronald McDonald House craft room. Before her diagnosis, she played trumpet in her school band.
Also, this spring she had the opportunity to explore poetry through Seattle Children’s partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Writers in the Schools program, where she wrote the following poem:
Like a butterfly my wings soar
Knowing that pain is no more
Hoping & waiting
For the clear path to take
But knowing the rules
I will take stake
Despite facing significant health challenges, Nataly has shown remarkable resilience and insight:
“You can cry, you can be mad, but always remember, whatever happens, it’s going to be OK. You are not alone.”
Thanks to your generosity, kids like Nataly—and families like hers—have a place where they can be themselves, surrounded by care, support, and hope. Give now.
