Heart the Houses 2024

Away from Home A Home

When It’s Needed Most

Reiss Kaderly, a lively and determined sixth-grader, has faced heart issues since birth, but she’s never let her condition define her. Whether caring for her many animals, including her beloved cow Raymona, or helping with concessions at school sporting events, she is determined to live her life fully and without restraint. Her parents, Roy and Sara, have been at her side for multiple hospital stays, each designed to not only keep her heart strong but empower Reiss to pursue her passions with full enthusiasm.

This was the goal when the family headed to Houston earlier this year. It was supposed to be a straightforward surgery. Simply another step in managing her condition and giving her the tools she needed to thrive as she neared the turning point of child to teenager. Instead, Reiss and her family found their world upended, the simple procedure morphing into something unpredictable and life-threatening. Far from their Marshfield farm, and facing a prolonged and unpredictable hospital stay, they turned to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

For Reiss’s parents, as well as her brother and sister, the Ronald McDonald House wasn’t just a place to lay their heads; it was a place to regain strength, find peace, and stay close.

A Stay No One Expected

Seven days in-patient and seven days out-patient following a procedure to repair one of Reiss’s valves as well as upgrade her pacemaking system. Straightforward and uncomplicated. The Kaderlys had their trip planned and rented an AirBnB with enough space to accommodate them, Reiss’s siblings Bowen (6) and McCoy (4), grandparents, and other extended family. They also arrived ahead of schedule, prepared to donate blood so Reiss had all the support she needed going into surgery.

By all accounts, both procedures went well, but the strain on Reiss’s heart proved to be too much. She went into cardiac arrest for 32 minutes and endured numerous watershed strokes, and her family soon found themselves facing the possibility of a transplant. In practically no time at all, what had been a simple plan transformed into something much more complicated and terrifying.

The Kaderlys did everything right every step of the way. They had made their plans and their lodging arrangements and built their schedule around not only their daughter’s care but also how they could provide additional support. Faced with the unexpected, Roy and Sara now had a difficult decision to make. Renting an AirBnB for a few days was one thing; staying indefinitely while their daughter fought for her life was something else entirely. There were the other children to consider as well, balancing their fear with the uncertainty of a new environment and a fractured family.

There was a much better alternative. The Kaderlys were from the Springfield area, and were familiar with Ronald McDonald House Charities from previous hospital stays. They knew staying at the House would give them the space, relief, and support they needed to see their daughter through her terrifying journey. More than that, it would keep the family together, unburdened by the stress of paying for an extended stay, and within walking distance of the hospital to ensure they could be at Reiss’s side at a moment’s notice.

A Place to Rest When the Hospital Never Sleeps

When every moment is fragile, every bit of respite counts. That is what the Kaderlys experienced at the Ronald McDonald House—a break from the hospital’s constant hum. It was a place to take a moment to breathe, shower, eat a home-cooked meal, and—perhaps most importantly—sleep. Even a few hours made all the difference when balanced against the stress and exhaustion from the rollercoaster that was Reiss’s recovery.

Milestones became sweeter and the hard days easier to bear, knowing that they were close by for whatever came next. That if Roy or Sara needed to step away, try to do some work, get some rest, they could be back at their daughter’s side within minutes. There was no guilt in leaving, and less exhaustion that comes with endless hours spent within a hospital. They had a place that was theirs as long as they needed it.

A True Home Away from Home

The Ronald McDonald House strives to be what the families of seriously ill or injured children need during their darkest days—a true substitute for home. The Kaderlys experienced numerous personal milestones while they were guests at the House. Family birthdays, Easter celebrations, and one memorable Super Bowl party. Reiss’s grandmothers were able to remain close by as well, using the House’s kitchen to cook Reiss her favorite meals and give her some semblance of normality while she focused on wellness achievements.

The ability to remain focused on Reiss’s recovery allowed the family to persevere through some of their darkest hours. With the support they received from Reiss's grandparents and uncles, as well as beloved friends and neighbors who kept their animals fed, watered, and safe in Marshfield, Sara and Roy kept their sights on the most important thing: the day they got to bring their daughter home again.

Heart the Houses and Give the Gift of Home

When you “Heart the Houses,” you are providing support to families like Reiss’s. Families facing unfathomable hardships, unimaginable stress, and crushing grief. You are instrumental in giving these families the strength to brave any parent’s worst nightmare. The Ronald McDonald House offers them a “home-away-from-home”—and we can’t do it without you.

Your generosity allows parents to stay close to their children, to experience small moments of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic world, and to avoid the crushing weight of financial stress. Please consider donating today. Together, we can give more families the support they need during the hardest battle they’ll ever face.

Make a difference today. Help more families like Reiss’s find comfort and hope when they need it most.

When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the Kaderly family and thousands of other area families. Each year, more than 500 families find a community of comfort and hope at our two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. By Adopting a Room for 2025 in one or both of our Houses, you are keeping families of sick children close to each other and near the care and resources they need.

Away fromHome A Home

Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South Hospital

SECOND FLOOR

Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids

Roy Kaderly & TJ Slocum, fellow Marshfield High School Football fans & RMHC supporters.

TJ Slocum stayed at the Ronald McDonald House 32 years ago and has been spreading the good word of RMHC's mission in Marshfield ever since.

TJ works as the Marshfield High School Football team's manager & Roy is the head coach.

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