2026 F A M I L Y
P R O F I L E
Kaufman Family Home: Branson, MO (Taney County)
“Plans can sure change in the blink of an eye. We learned all too well this year that we can plan and prepare all we want, but the Lord is not afraid to interrupt those plans and preparations when it comes to His will and timing. At 25 weeks gestation, our daughter was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This led to weekly ultrasounds and vitals on both mom and baby to make sure the pregnancy was progressing as it should. Over the next five weeks, my (Emily’s) blood pressure began to gradually rise until it reached a dangerous level that put us in the Branson ER on August 11. We were immediately transferred to Cox South and admitted to the Perinatal ICU. After blood draws every six hours and constant vital checks, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia that progressed into HELLP syndrome. My liver was shutting down, I was losing blood platelets, and my blood pressure was at seizure and stroke risk levels. The only treatment option was an emergency C-section. We were not prepared physically, mentally, or emotionally for our girl to come this early. At 30 weeks and 3 days gestation, on August 13, 2025, Emma Rae Kaufman was born weighing 2 lbs. 13 oz. and measuring 15 inches long. Our feisty and dramatic little Emma spent 97 days in the NICU. She was on and off CPAP and oxygen, had several X-rays and echocardiograms performed, and the part of our journey that seemed to take the longest was getting her to eat on her own. We were discharged on November 17 and took her home on oxygen and food thickeners—both things to help with her eating. She is gaining weight and slowly getting better at eating, and although we weren’t sent home cord-free, we are so thankful to have her home. I had the blessing of my milk supply coming in and was able to provide that for Emma during her NICU stay. Not only did I need to be close by to get that to her, but Jay and I wanted to be there for every step of her journey, and living 45 minutes away from the hospital was going to make that difficult. The Ronald McDonald House (or “Ron’s,” as we liked to call it) provided everything we needed and more to be able to stay close. One of the first things I remember being told upon checking in was, “If you ever go hungry around here— that’s your own fault!” We were so impressed and thankful for not only the family dinners every night, but also how the kitchen was always so clean and stocked with basic groceries, coffee, snacks, and even those fun foods you never buy for yourself. More than food, having a place to sleep, shower, and do laundry was incredibly helpful. We quickly got to know many of the staff at Ron’s, and they became the community we didn’t know we would need during a time like this. Because we were there for three months, we also got to know several other families staying there. It was so healing to exchange stories and encouragement with people who knew exactly what we were feeling and going through. Jay and I did not know much about Ronald McDonald House Charities before this experience. We had heard of it but did not realize the impact it has on families during a time like this. To have so many burdens lifted during a financially taxing season of life is a blessing we will never be able to repay.”
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