The Burley Family
“I
don’t know and don’t want to know how things would’ve turned out had we not been able to stay at RMHC. Being there allowed me to stay close to the hospital...I credit RMHC with helping us bring our little girl into this world safely.”
In January 2019, Nicole and Travis Burley were thrilled when they found out they were going to have a baby boy. Suddenly in March, after rushing to the hospital they received devastating news that their little boy passed away in utero. Cameron Russell Burley was delivered stillborn at 31 weeks on March 24th, 2019.
After such a painful loss, the Burley family was both ecstatic and cautiously
optimistic when they found out they were expecting again - this time it was with a little girl. Both parents and doctors knew that with Nicole’s history, as well as type 1 diabetes, this pregnancy was high-risk and the doctors needed to monitor it closely.
During an appointment, doctors discovered Nicole’s liver enzymes were increasing and shortly after, she began abnormal swelling – something she had seen in her first pregnancy. Terrified of what this meant for their baby girl, they rushed to the hospital in Fargo to be monitored. Thankfully, mom and baby were healthy, but they would have to stay in Fargo for the duration of the pregnancy.
With Nicole and Travis’s home 97 miles away in Fosston, MN, doctors suggested they stay at Ronald McDonald
House in Fargo, only a short ride away from the hospital. Over the next 31 days, Nicole and Travis shuttled back and forth from RMHC to the hospital for doctor’s appointments, up to 5 times a week.
When asked what meant the most to them, the Burleys mentioned a few things, and they said the Petite Boutique was especially meaningful. Because they had previously lost a baby, Nicole and Travis were hesitant and scared to buy anything for their baby girl. To be able to “shop” for her without worry built confidence and made them excited to bring her home. They left with a full bag of clothes and diapers that would fit her as soon as she arrived as well as toys, blankets, burp rags, and other essentials. When the family found out all the items in the Petite Boutique had been donated, they were blown away by the generosity.
The Burley family also said not having to worry about how or where they would eat their next meal took away immense stress and helped with the success
A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER
Executive Director
This was certainly the year we didn’t see coming. COVID-19 has rocked us all and disrupted our lives in so many ways. We now zoom more than we ever thought possible, have watched our kids turn into virtual learning pros, masks are a way of life and that doesn’t even scrape the surface. Yes, 2020 has had no shortage of challenges, but our RMHC team has remained resilient and focused on the desire to keep our families safe and healthy. While this year has largely been defined by COVID-19, there has been much more for the families we serve. We have watched families celebrate the joy of finally bringing
their child home after a long hospital stay or relief after a successful procedure. We have also watched the pain they feel as they navigate a new cancer diagnosis or the death of their child.
of Nicole’s pregnancy. Bonding over the homemade meals that volunteers prepared for them was priceless, especially after a tough day of doctor’s appointments. Nicole and Travis talked with moms over the dinner who were going through similar experiences and found a support system to lean on during their time at the House.
Finally, on March 23, 2020, at 36 weeks, Nicole delivered their healthy baby girl Nikaia. She had the same beautiful wavy hair as her brother Cameron. The day was filled with emotions as they celebrated their daughter and remembered their son Cameron who was born on the same day just one year earlier because of the leap year.
Throughout all of this, we have felt the love and support from you – our donors, volunteers, and advocates – and it has carried us through. Thank you for your words of encouragement, for dropping off ingredients for a meal or paper towels, and for your generous monetary support. No matter the
size it has brightened our darkest moments and reminded us why we do what we do especially during these difficult times. My heart is full.
ROUND UP
Looking for an easy way to support RMHC this holiday season?
Text RMHCFargo to 269-89, connect your debit or credit card, and every time you swipe your card, your purchase will be rounded up to the next dollar! Imagine doing good while you’re out shopping for holiday gifts. The spare change will benefit families with kids in the hospital who may be staying with us over the holidays.
You’d be surprised by how quickly small change can add up to make a BIG difference for families
A BIG DIFFERENCE
SIGN UP
Text RMHCFargo to 269-89
LINK A CARD
Connect your primary debit or credit card
ROUND UP
MAKE A PURCHASE
Spare change from everyday purchases will now be donated to support RMHC
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thank you to our Board of Directors. It should be no surprise that this year was one of the hardest we’ve ever had to work through. The RMHC of the Red River Valley is honored to lean on talent, compassion, and expertise of a diverse group of individuals – our Board of Directors! They’ve worked tirelessly to help navigate the uncertain waters that 2020 has brought. We are truly grateful for these individuals:
Officers
Shauna Wimer Midco President
Jeremy Ostrowski Aldevron Vice President
Brad Kraft Ascensus Past President
Alexis Odden Eide Bailly Treasurer
Emily Cook McDonald’s Restaurants
Secretary
Members
Todd Anderson
Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body
Katie Bjornson Fargo Center for Dermatology
Nicole Christensen Essentia Health
Sharon Miller Retired
Amanda Richter
Prairie St. John’s
Katie Rizzo
Sanford Health
Madison Hausauer Flint Group
Caitlin Stoecker
Razor Consulting Solutions
Jean Zimmerman
Offutt Family Foundation
STRIPES #forRMHC IN OCTOBER
We loved following along with the hashtag #forRMHC again this year and being tagged in photos! The love was felt through the screen! Sharing a sweet treat with Sandy’s Donuts helped us raise $978, and Shirts From Fargo sold 55 red & white striped
RMHC masks, raising $250!
We held a coloring contest, pop tab art contest, and a scavenger hunt throughout the week. Congrats to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated!
MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAMS
Does your employer offer a matching gifts program? Check it out to see your donation go further by doubling your contributions! Thank you to all employees and businesses who take part in these programs to help this community keep families close together.
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS
Are you a Thrivent member? Thrivent Choice lets you recommend where some of Thrivent Financials charitable outreach funds go by directing your Choice Dollars and participating in voting events. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley is excited to be one of the charities that your Choice Dollars can be directed to! Consider directing your Choice Dollars to RMHC.
FM Area Foundation
Caring Catalog
November 24TH - December 14TH
The FM Area Foundation is hosting the Caring Catalog, an online giving platform to support nonprofit work in Cass-Clay this holiday season. From November 24th –December 14th, you can donation online at areafoundation.org/caringcatalog and help support RMHC of the Red River Valley!
Watch online for information about fun incentives from the FM Area Foundation for donors like you to multiply your support!
SWEETHEART BALL Saturday, Feb 13TH, 2021
Our 32nd Annual Sweetheart Ball will take place on Saturday, February 13th, 2021. Please watch our website & social media for details as we get closer to the event! 32
February 11TH, 2021
Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online giving event co-hosted by Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Family Foundation. Your support on February 11th will help us work towards our goal of keeping critically-ill children close to their families as they grow strong in the hospital.
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S, FARGO, ND 58104
Thanks to everyone who gave to our last appeal, over $7,600 was raised to support families like the Schatz family. These gifts are already hard at work keeping families together.
THANK YOU
• Swiffer sweeper wet pads
• Pantry snacks
• Women’s deodorant
• Restaurant gift cards
• Paper towels
To keep supporting us, please consider donating our most urgent items.
We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received throughout the pandemic.