Welcome to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas

FAMILY STORIES

Growing up with Claudia
We always love hearing from families who have stayed with us, and no one has kept in touch like the Pulcinellas. Tony and Jennifer Pulcinella stayed with us for four months in 2002 when their daughter Claudia was born three months premature. At 1 pound and 4 ounces, Claudia could have fit in the palm of their hands.
The Pulcinellas felt overwhelmed. When a newborn is that small, the first three months are “touch and go.” They risk brain bleeds, organ failure, respiratory infection, and because their immune systems are so fragile, the simplest germs can cause a fatal illness. On top of which, the Pulcinellas were far away from friends, family and their home in Delaware.
	When the Pulcinellas’ left the Ronald McDonald House in February of 2003, their journey was far from over. Claudia was transferred from Las Vegas to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for further treatment. Finally in May of 2003 Claudia arrived at her home in Lewes, Delaware for the very first time. She was still on a breathing machine and required 24 hour care, but in-home nursing and regular therapy sessions helped take some of the burden off of Jen and Tony.
Over the past three years, the Pulcinellas have included us in their lives and allowed us to watch Claudia’s incredible journey through life. In June of 2005 she reached a huge milestone when doctors removed her trach tube, allowing her to breath on her own for the very first time. In October of 2005, Claudia celebrated her third birthday, and it seems as though life for the Pulcinellas is finally getting back to normal.

The Cox Family
Early in July of 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Panteleeff walked through our doors with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their daughter and her family of five had just been airlifted to UMC trauma center after a terrible car accident on I-15. After two weeks, dad and the three boys, ages 13, 8 and 4, had been released from the hospital. Their mom, however, was still in critical condition.

Over the next three weeks, dad spent most of his time at the hospital, and grandparents Josie and George Panteleeff took excellent care to keep the boys busy and upbeat while they waited for good news. The boys were extremely well-mannered, considerate, and able to entertain themselves without disturbing the House. Each afternoon they serenaded us on the piano and spent many hours creating “Get Well” cards for their mom. Mrs. Cox was released from the hospital August 1 and the family flew home to Kamuela, Hawaii the next day. It was inspiring to see how strong and positive this family was during such a traumatic time in their lives. They greeted everyone with a hello and a smile, and often asked if there was anything they could do to help around the house. When families like the Cox’s stay with us, it fills the House with wonderful feelings of warmth, togetherness and hope.

Princess Kimi
	In March of 2005, Clark and Hazel De Los Santos found themselves in need of a place to stay while their 2 year old daughter Kimi received treatment at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. Kimi was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in April of 2004. She had just been through a major surgery and was looking at months of chemotherapy treatment.
Shortly after leaving the House in May, Clark and Hazel were given the horrible news that Kimi had just a few short weeks to live. We worked closely with Make-A-Wish to send them to Disneyland, where Kimi personally met all the Disney princesses. When they returned, RMHC invited Kimi’s family and friends to a birthday party that all little girls dream of, even though her birthday wasn’t until October. We had a petting zoo with furry and exotic animals, a pony ride, two cakes, and lots of presents. On June 23, 2005, Princess Kimi lost her battle with cancer. There was no way of knowing how much we would be affected by Clark, Hazel, and especially Kimi. With her high pitched "I love you," beautiful smile, and perfect pink dresses, she warmed the heart of everyone who met her. Even though we only knew Kimi for a few short months, she will live in our hearts forever.

Ms Green
In June of 2005, Freddie Green came to stay at the Ronald McDonald House after her adopted son was involved in a tragic shooting. Phillip, a 20 year old student at UNLV and employee at University Medical Center, was at a party with friends when a shot was fired from a moving vehicle. He instinctively jumped in front of the bullet which was headed for a girl standing nearby. The shot hit him directly in the neck, shattering his vertebrae and leaving him completely paralyzed from the neck down. Since the accident, Phillip has slowly regained use of his arms and is making a truly remarkable recovery. He is currently receiving physical therapy, and we all hope his progress continues. During her stay, Freddie was a complete joy to have around the House. She cooked wonderful meals on the weekends, and offered support to other guests in the House. The two have since returned to their home in Chicago, where Freddie dedicates her time to helping children.