Akron

Spring 2012

ronald McDonald House of Akron’s newsletter to Friends

www.rmhakron.org

www.rmhakron.org

Jerry and Sheila Wright live an idyllic life with their two sons in Strasburg, Ohio. Their home is on four partially wooded acres — the perfect place for Paul, age nine, and Patrick, age eight, to play baseball, run in the woods, or have neighbors over to roast hot dogs near their treehouse.

To see them, one would never guess what the past year and a half has held for them. In September of 2010, Patrick woke his parents up in the very early hours with a sore throat. They had just moved to Strasburg and as yet had not found a doctor for their sons, so that morning, after making a quick appointment with a local family practice doctor in nearby Bolivar, Sheila, a registered nurse at Aultman Hospital, looked in Patrick’s mouth. Near his left tonsil she noted some pink tissue that Patrick described as “itchy”. At the doctor’s office, Patrick was found to have strep throat; the tissue was noted, but the doctor felt it was something to keep an eye on, and Patrick was put on antibiotics.

Less than two months later, Patrick was back to the doctor with an upper respiratory infection. When the diagnosis suggested a possibility of asthma, Sheila decided to take Patrick to Akron Children’s Hospital’s satellite in New Philadelphia to be evaluated. After being examined, Patrick was referred to a pediatric ear, nose and throat doctor, Dr. Albert, for a biopsy of the tissue near his tonsil.

A brief thirty minutes after Patrick was taken to surgery for his biopsy, Jerry and Sheila were paged to speak with Dr. Albert; as a nurse, this was an ominous sign for Patrick’s mom. In fact, they were told that the tissue was malignant, and in Sheila’s words, their world collapsed.

While the doctor felt the cancer was treatable, a tonsillectomy and removal of the tumor was performed, to be followed by a battery of tests.

The Wrights were referred to Dr. Kuerbitz, a pediatric oncologist, who told them that Patrick had a type of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, and after numerous diagnostic tests to decide the extent of the cancer, as well as a second surgery, a course of treatment was decided upon. On December 28, 2010, Patrick began 44 weeks of chemotherapy using three different drugs. The regimen was quite rigorous at first; eventually it consisted of three weeks of chemotherapy followed by one week off, along with CT scans to evaluate the treatment. During this period, every third week he would be admitted to Children’s Hospital overnight for a potent combination of chemotherapy drugs.

One of the most difficult things for the Wrights to deal with was telling their boys about Patrick’s illness. With some solid advice from Dr. Kuerbitz, the Wrights dealt with this issue the same way they dealt with

everything — as a family. Paul’s first question was, “Is Patrick going to die?” Jerry and Sheila explained that no, they did not think so. Patrick had very good doctors and was being treated at an excellent hospital, and the treatments were extremely effective. While explaining things in a way that Paul and Patrick would understand, they did not shy away from using words like “cancer” or “chemotherapy,” words Paul and Patrick would almost certainly hear at the hospital. In similar fashion, the Wrights set out to begin Patrick’s chemotherapy and cure his cancer in exactly that way: as a family.

Sheila and Jerry began home schooling both their sons, first and foremost to keep them together (especially when Patrick was at Children’s Hospital) but also to prevent infection while Patrick’s immune system was vulnerable. They also had a routine when they would come for Patrick’s overnight stays at the hospital. The Wrights would get to Akron early so that Patrick could go to the Ronald McDonald House before his chemotherapy to see the staff and volunteers and have a snack. Once Patrick was admitted to the hospital and his chemotherapy was begun, Jerry and Paul would come back to the House and have dinner, along with a chance to mingle with the other residents. Jerry would then return to the hospital to stay with Patrick overnight while Sheila would stay at the House with Paul. Because of the proximity of the House to the hospital, Sheila was comforted by the fact that she could be to the hospital and beside her son in a matter of minutes if need be.

During the time from Patrick’s initial biopsy through his 44 weeks of chemotherapy, the Wright family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House sixteen different times. Sheila remembers the first time she walked into the House. It was in December, the House was decorated for Christmas, and there was pot roast cooking in the kitchen. The sights and sounds and smells reminded her of holidays spent in the homes of her family. In fact, the Ronald McDonald House became truly a home away from home for the Wright family. Sheila stated, “The people were always so nice and polite and comforting. It was like a big hug when you went into the House.”

In early November of 2011, Patrick finished his chemotherapy, and both boys got a surprise from their parents. Paul was presented with a trophy with the inscription: Best Big Brother for Helping Patrick Get Through Chemotherapy, and Patrick got a trophy stating: Greatest Little Man for Getting Through Chemotherapy and Beating Cancer.

Before September of 2010, Sheila would have described herself as a type A personality. She pushed her boys to do the best they could. Now, they have all learned to take life as it comes. As Sheila says, “We try to make every day a happy day and we don’t sweat the small stuff. We keep things upbeat, we laugh as much as we can and we do whatever we can to keep both our boys strong.” As she looks out the large, double window of their home, she talks about the most beautiful sound in the world: her boys yelling and laughing and playing on those four acres in Strasburg.

Paul and Patrick Wright

The Wrights keep strong with the help of the RMH.

“We try to make everyday a happy day and we don’t sweat the small stuff. We keep things upbeat, we laugh as much as we can and we do whatever we can to keep both our boys strong.” — Jerry and Sheila Wright

A Message From Our Executive Director, Anne Collins

One of the most frequent comments we hear from people who visit the Ronald McDonald House of Akron for the first time is “I always thought McDonalds® fully funded the House.” They

are usually very surprised to hear that only about 5% actually comes from the Owner/Operators with the remainder coming from individual donors, corporations and foundations. This percentage comes to us through the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northeastern Ohio, Inc. and is generated through the coin donation boxes you see at the McDonald’s Restaurants. RMHC-NEO also helps children in Northeastern Ohio by funding the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® dental program and awarding grant funds to non-profit children’s groups whose programs improve the quality of life for children and their families. Our house also is awarded grants as requested and needed. While we are very grateful for our portion of the funding, you can see that the support that comes from other sources is paramount to provide the means to keep our doors open.

Another way we are supported is through Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. in Oak Brook, IL. RMHC Inc. develops donor/ vendor relationships that provide the House with a wide variety of products and services. Some examples include: appliances and electronics, furniture, 1000 gallons of paint, soft drinks and bottled water, and top quality bedding. Other vendors and services include vacuum cleaners and cleaning products, paper products, flooring, countertop material, building materials and airline tickets just to name a few. RMHC, Inc. also provides first class professional training and educational training through the use of webinars and training materials

and hosts the RMHC, Inc. International Conference every other year in Chicago. This conference gives Houses from all over the world the chance to come together and share in a variety of professional workshops covering a range of topics all aimed in providing us the knowledge to operate our Houses at top notch levels.

As you can see, the support, both financial and in-kind, we receive from the local McDonald’s Owner/Operators, RMHC-NEO and RMHC Inc. are invaluable, but it takes so very much more. We need YOU to keep our house running efficiently so that we can provide for our families in times of crisis. We are in our 27th year and the need for a new or expanded house becomes more apparent each day. With your help, it will become a reality. In our 27 years of operation we have never increased our suggested nightly donation of $10.00 per night, and no one is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. The true cost for the operation of a room is $80.00. Our rate of donations per night falls under 50%. In 2011 we had to say “no” to over 5000 families. No matter how many times you have to tell a family you are not able to help them with a place to stay or provide a warm meal, it never becomes easier. Together we can turn that no into “yes” and truly live up to our Mission Statement: The ronald McDonald House of Akron was founded by families for the purpose of providing a temporary house for those who have loved ones at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Please schedule a visit or just drop by. We would love to show you what we are all about. I think you will be impressed and inspired. We need you to help us carry on the tradition of being “The House That Love Built”.

Anne Collins and Beth Plazak receive a check for $11,365 for the sale of 18 cases of the “Southern Living Christmas Cookbook” at Dillard’s department stores in the area.

The Rogers family at the Ronald McDonald House. They provide Share-a-Night funds for the entire House (20 rooms) for one night each year.

note worthy…

Hoban Gourmet Food Club with Brother Phillip.

Volunteers Lois Reaven, and Barb and Marv Wolfson, working to serve residents Christmas dinner.

Volunteer Jim Cassenheiser painting our new storage area in the basement laundry room.

Care Cables is published by RMH of Akron Inc. (Ronald McDonald House of Akron Inc.), an association founded by Akron area families to provide and operate a Ronald McDonald House for those who have family members at Akron Children’s Hospital.

A big “thank you” to St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls for the food drive to benefit the House.

Great partnerships take place at RMH!

♥ Grocery store gift certificates

♥ BJ’s gift certificates ♥ Sam’s Club gift

certificates ♥ Pop tabs ♥ Stouffer’s or Lean

Cuisine entrees (individual servings)

♥ Canned mushrooms ♥ Salad dressing (French,

Italian, ranch, etc.)

♥ Beef broth ♥ Gravy (jars and cans)

♥ Barbeque sauce ♥ Stuffing mixes ♥ Canned tomatoes ♥ Cream of celery soup ♥ Olives ♥ Pickles ♥ Boxed cereal ♥ Pop Tarts ♥ Granola bars

♥ Fruit roll-ups ♥ Canned fruit

(15 oz – 29 oz)

♥ Canned cranberries ♥ Fruit juices ♥ Cheese

(shredded, slices or blocks)

♥ Fresh fruit & Vegetables

♥ Individual pudding cups

♥ Canned frosting ♥ Brownie mixes ♥ Baking nuts ♥ Chocolate chips ♥ Cooking oil ♥ Napkins ♥ Ziplock bags

(any size)

♥ Dryer sheets ♥ Paper towels ♥ Laundry detergent

Food Donation Wish List:

Jane Crowley of Firestone Country Club presents Heather Jalbert and Mike Soful with a check for $19,157.98, the proceeds from a benefit held at the country club this past fall.

Residents enjoying a snowy day at the House. The winter hat was donated by Joanne Fabrics.

A huge thanks to the Bistro for becoming a regular contributor to the meal donation program. The only people happier about the donation than the staff and volunteers at the House are the residents (because they get to eat all that good food!!)

www.rmhakron.org

Fill the

As our Ronald McDonald House of Akron (RMHA) enters its 27th year of serving the needs of families whose children are being treated at Akron Children’s Hospital, we look back on our past with great pride and to our future with anticipation and great expectations of continued growth in our physical facilities and in the services we are able to provide. I have only been president of the Board for five months, yet the energy I feel from the Board, our staff, and our many volunteers is unbelievable.

Our current facility has 20 family bedrooms and is operating at over 90% capacity. Sadly, overcrowding and space limitations have at times forced us to turn away some families. In 2011 alone we provided over 5,500 nights of lodging for over 11,000 family members of children being treated at the hospital. We understand and are committed to providing the highest quality of supportive care and we believe in the healing power of our House and all its attendant supportive services to the children and their families.

All are in agreement that we have outgrown ourselves and we will soon be embarking on a capital campaign to raise funds for an additional 40 new family bedrooms. I consider myself blessed to have a dedicated and focused Board of Trustees to help define our vision and fulfill our mission in the days, months, and years ahead. Together with our strong and energetic staff and a legion of loving volunteers, we continue to be a beacon of hope providing a loving and supportive environment during the most difficult times in our RMH families’ lives. Our “home away from home” currently serves families throughout a six-county region in Northeast Ohio. Working hand in hand with Akron Children’s Hospital and with the support of the McDonald’s Owner/Operators’ and the RMH Charities of Northeast Ohio, we are and will continue to provide the utmost in quality and supportive services to our residents and their children. As we enter this new and exciting stage, I look forward to building and maintaining strong relationships with our community in order to better serve those who need it most.

Many thanks to the following dining establishments, organizations and individuals who have provided meals to the Ronald McDonald House of Akron this year:

MEAL DONORS

♥ Alpha Phi Omega ♥ Altrusa Int’l ♥ Applebee’s ♥ Beta Sigma Phi, Akron ♥ Beta Sigma Phi, Medina ♥ Betty Miller ♥ Bistro on Main ♥ BJ’s Wholesale Club ♥ Bob Evans Restaurant ♥ Bravo! ♥ BW-3 ♥ Capri Pizza ♥ Charlotte Hosey & friends ♥ Chick-fil-A ♥ Circle Cafe Catering ♥ Colleen Toussant & family ♥ Connie Moyers, Kathy Dieckman,

Peggy Tobias ♥ Debbie Smith ♥ Delta Theta Tau Sorority ♥ Devitis Italian Market & Deli ♥ Diamond Marcum & family ♥ Dr. Kristen Smith & residents ♥ Earth Fare ♥ Elaine Hawthorne ♥ Emma Yoder ♥ F. Esposito Culinary Events

♥ Falls Deli ♥ First Apostolic Faith Church ♥ Faith in Action ♥ Foresters Group ♥ Fred’s Diner ♥ Giant Eagle, Fairlawn ♥ Golden Alliance (McDonald’s) ♥ Greek Orthodox Church Ladies ♥ Highland Baking Co. ♥ Hoban High School Gourmet Club,

Brother Phillip ♥ Insphere Insurance Solutions ♥ James Lipjanic ♥ Jennie Richards & Trent,

Sheryl Musser ♥ Jenny Jurkovic ♥ Jesse Neidert & friends ♥ Jessie Rodriguez ♥ Joleen Finn ♥ Jr. MOMS Club of Stow,

Munroe Falls & Silver Lake ♥ Julie LeFever ♥ Julie Pratt &

Western Reserve Students ♥ JWCC (Junior Women’s

Civic Club) ♥ Kirbie Family Meats & Catering ♥ Laura Tucci

♥ Lisa Donnelly ♥ Lisa Landon & family ♥ Little Caesars Pizza ♥ Lois Howell & family ♥ Lucille Esposito/

Janet Zaucha ♥ Mandee Schlabach & friends ♥ Michelle Boldt ♥ Mickey Whitehurst ♥ Moe’s Restaurant ♥ MOMS Club of West Akron ♥ MOMS Club of Cuyahoga Falls ♥ Mosaic ♥ Mothers’ Study Club IV ♥ Mustard Seed ♥ Nancy Ferrato ♥ Nancy Peacock ♥ Naomi Troyer (Mrs. Merle) ♥ Newman Center Parish ♥ Nick Triola Family,

Allstate, Friends ♥ Northeast Ohio Audiology

Consortium ♥ O’Charley’s ♥ Olive Garden ♥ Penn Station ♥ Philoptochos Society ♥ Pizza Hut ♥ Poncho & Lefty’s ♥ R. A. Perez, Inc. (McDonald’s) ♥ Real Life Bible Study,

Grace Church ♥ Renee & Brian Coll ♥ Rhodes Catering ♥ Rizzi’s Ristorante & Pizzeria ♥ Rocco’s Pizza - Gina Caponi

♥ Rubber City Arches (McDonald’s) ♥ Sally Cassenheiser ♥ Sandy Adkins ♥ Sharon & Mark Kohler ♥ Shelter Care Girls ♥ Shisler’s Cheese House ♥ Stephanie Allen & family ♥ Stow Munroe Falls High School ♥ Subway ♥ Tallmadge High School ♥ Tangier’s Restaurant ♥ Tap House ♥ The Rusty Nail ♥ The Spaghetti Warehouse ♥ Todaro’s Party Center ♥ University of Akron SAA ♥ Vikki & Rodney Shadie ♥ Waterloo Restaurant ♥ White House Chicken ♥ Windermere Elementary School ♥ Zeppe’s Pizzeria

A Message From Our President, Heather Jalbert

Akron

Staff:Anne Collins Executive DirectorBeth Plazak Family Services ManagerMary MerendinoLauri EspositoMeri Skiera

Care Cables:TRIAD / Next Level DesignerStar Printing Casey Hughes EditorHonorary Trustees:William ConsidineRobert Klein, M.D.

Board of Directors:Heather Jalbert PresidentDonna Early Vice PresidentSteve Shriber Vice PresidentCasey Hughes SecretaryKen Rusinoff Treasurer

Board Members:John BlickleDarryl FieldmanDonna GrigasJeffery Hord, M.D.Luisa IturriagaKeith KilgoreMargaret MatejkovicDon McCardle

Kim McFarlaneConnie NolteMichael O’MalleyRosie PerezKathleen RedleMary RedleNicholas ReynoldsJohn ShafferSteve Shriber

Mike SofulJim Stroble Nancy Walker-GerbetzPamela J. WebbJanis WorleyKristen YankoDawn ZelichJohn Zoilo

© Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Milk. It is essential to building a healthy body. Scientific studies show it helps to build strong bones, prevent fractures, and prevent osteoporosis in later life. Each glass contains protein, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, phosphorus, vitamin A and niacin.

With an average of 35 to 40 residents staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Akron per day, the House uses approximately one to one-and-a-half gallons of milk each day, and at $3.50 a gallon, the costs add up fast. It is an ongoing expense, but an essential one for the health of our residents.

When RMH Board Member Don McCardle made a cold call on Reiter Dairy in 2007, he began a relationship that continues to this day.

At that meeting, he met Key Accounts Manager Ron Sterling. After providing Ron with information about the Ronald McDonald House of Akron, Reiter immediately

responded with coupons which could be used for either milk or juice. Over the years, the dairy’s support has totalled thousands of dollars for the House. When Don calls to ask for a donation, Ron sends what he has available to donate.

In Ron’s words, “When approached by Mr. Don McCardle of the Ronald McDonald House of Akron about support for the House, Reiter Dairy was quick to respond. Reiter Dairy is [as] passionate about our community as we are about our company. We strive to make a difference in the communities where we operate. We are proud to support the Ronald McDonald House of Akron with resources to assist with their food program.”

The relationship between the Ronald McDonald House and Reiter Dairy has grown to be a strong one. Through their support, Reiter has helped to sustain not only the residents but the House as well.

Milk. It Does the RMH Good.

If you would like to help fill our freezer, you can donate gift certificates for Giant Eagle, Acme, BJ’s or Sam’s Club to: Ronald McDonald House of Akron, 245 Locust Street, Akron, Ohio, 44302, attention: Anne Collins.

Reiter Dairy was founded by Ralph Reiter, a master baker from Pennsylvania, and his son, Harold, on February 8, 1933, on Summer Street in Akron. As the company grew, it acquired more than 20 dairies in Northern Ohio in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

In 1998, Reiter was bought by Dean Foods of Chicago; then, in 2001, Dean was acquired by Suiza Foods Corporation of Dallas. Suiza operates over 120 plants in the US and Spain, and they employ approximately 29,000 people.

Locally, the headquarters for Reiter Dairy is now in Springfeild, Ohio, but one thing

hasn’t changed: its commitment to quality. They maintain level III SQF certification for quality, meaning that each of their plants provides the highest standards from the farm to the plant to make the safest milk possible available for their customers.

About reiter Dairy

The Ronald McDonald House of Akron has been truly blessed by the generosity of many individuals, organizations and businesses from Akron and the surrounding

communities who have given donations of food and materials, as well as their time. These are names of just a few of the generous people who donate to our House.

The

Spirit ofCommunity

Below is a list of just some of the groups and individuals who have supported our House in the past few months. To them, and the countless others who have also lent a helping hand to our House, we offer our heartfelt thanks.

AAA - Akron Auto Club

Akron Children’s Hospital

Akron Zoological Park

Al J. Amer

Alpha Delta Pi

American Legion

Amy Bachtel-Robinson

Anderson DuBose Co.

Ann Newman

Beta Sigma Phi

Bissell

BJ’s

Brimfield Elementary School

Buckeye Career Center

Buehler’s Food Market

Cargill

Cascade Quilting Guild

Cintas

Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Akron

Community of Christ Church

ConnKerr Cancer

Copland Outreach Organization

Dell Corporation

Dillard’s

Doylestown United Methodist Church

Dunkin Donuts

Eastside Maytag

Ecolab, Inc./Kay Chemical

Elmer D. Steiner

Embroider Your Own

Faye Jenkins

Figaro Fresh Farms

Firestone Park Community Center Quilters

First Congregational Church

Flo & Don Iacobucci

Fred Albrecht Grocery Co.

Gary Glaser

Georgia Pacific

Giant Eagle

Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts

Girl Scout Troops #98, #591, #711, #90054, #90970

Graf Growers

Hanoverton & Bethesda Presbyterian Churches

Indian Valley Middle School

Info Line, Inc.

John & Margaret McBride

John Sloan

Joseph Yeakel

K.I.S.S. Quilters

Katie Wiley

Keith Stoller

Kendra St. Charles

Kenneth Brigham

Kent Roosevelt High School

Kevin Semon

Kirlin’s Hallmark #229

Krispy Kreme Donuts

Land O’Lakes

Legion Media Group LLC

Mark Formichella

Mark Thomas

Memorial Elementary School

Norton City Schools

Norwalk Park & Rec Center

Ohio Northern University

Ontario High School FCCLA

Paul Bertsch

Peanut Shoppe

Pythian Sisters - Ohio

Randy Pry

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Reverend Angel

Rev. Terry D. Rickett

Richard Gilmore

RMHC of Northeast Ohio

Robert L. Schneider

Roberts Middle School

Rogers Family

Rowdy Ramblers 4H Club

S. A. Comunale

Sam’s Club #4750

Shearer Foods Inc.

South Range Middle School

St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church

St. Joe’s Elementary

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church & School

St. Mary’s School

Stephanie Lewis

Stern Advertising

Steve Emerick

Steven Zienka

Stow-Monroe Falls City School District

Strausser Development

Struthers Elementary School

Temperature Control

The Michelson Foundation

Thomas Pottkotter

TNT Exterminators

TRIAD Communications/Next Level Interactive

United Vacuum

Valley Animal Hospital

Vision of Hope 4-H Club

Wal-Mart Foundation

Zelich Family

Zeta Tau Alpha

Ronald McDonald House® of Akron, Inc.245 Locust Street, Akron, OH 44302

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAkron, Ohio

Permit No. 534Visit us at: www.rmhakron.org

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Would you like to help the environment, save money in postage and printing for Ronald McDonald House, and still receive your Care Cables newsletter? We can now email it to you! If you would like to receive your Care Cables via email, just send us your email address at Casey4email@gmail.com638

families found

strength for their

sick child at the

Ronald McDonald

House® of Akron

last year.

Join us in

helping provide

families with

strength in

numbers.

The Ronald McDonald House of Akron does not share your personal information (i.e., name, address).

Akron

Spring 2012

ronald McDonald House of Akron’s newsletter to Friends

www.rmhakron.org

MISSION

The Ronald McDonald

House of Akron was

founded by families

for the purpose of

providing a temporary

house for those who

have loved ones

at Akron

Children’s Hospital.

Read more inside…

Paul and Patrick Wright

WHO TO CALL

For volunteer opportunities, either on a regular basis or for

special needs, call our volunteer coordinator at 330.253.5400.

For information on organizing a fundraising event, call

Anne Collins at 330.253.5400.

If your group or organization needs a speaker to discuss our

mission, call Meri Skiera at 330.253.5400.

The Wrights keep strong with the help of the RMH.