Grand Rapids, MI – Love is multiplying at the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan! Each month the Ronald McDonald House provides unique comfort and care for families who have children receiving medical treatment in Grand Rapids. Most of these families have a child in the NICU at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or Mercy Health and in this past month, love has multiplied! Since August, the Ronald McDonald House has welcomed 6 sets of twins, 1 set of triplets, 1 set of twin siblings, and are getting ready to welcome quadruplets at the end of September!
“This is rare for us! We have had families with multiples stay here in the past but never this many at once. This creates a unique challenge for the House as we don’t typically have babies here,” shares Renee Davis, Family Services Manager. “Many times, multiples are not discharged from the hospital at the same time. When this happens, we need to be prepared so we can provide a safe place for families to stay and rest.”
As you can imagine, multiple families of multiples mean longer stays and more needed resources. “Right now, our need for infant items is at an all time high. We have bed side bassinets and breast pumps available for families but are short on all other baby items. Not only do we want to ensure families have what they need during their stay at the House, we also want to provide families with baby items to take home! With so many families of multiple babies, our stock is limited.” shares Renee.
The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan is looking to the community to help build their supply of infant items while these families are at the House. If you are interested in supporting the Ronald McDonald House and their families of multiples, you can donate at rmhwm.org or visit their Amazon Wishlist to purchase high need infant items such as preemie pacifiers or swaddle blankets.
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About the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan
The mission of the RMHWM is to provide a “home-away-from-home” for families traveling to Grand Rapids for their child’s medical or mental health treatment. For 31 years, RMHWM has been serving families throughout Michigan and all over the world. Families live at the House where they have access to a safe, clean, and comfortable room with bath plus hot meals, transportation to and from the hospital; all at no cost to the families. www.rmhwm.org