One thing that makes Ronald McDonald House Charities so special is the community of local chapters worldwide. For board member Trina Murphy, this network of support is extra special. When her eldest son Ryan was playing in his first high school football game as a freshman, things appeared to be off. They took him to a local clinic the following day, thinking he may have a hernia. Instead, blood work showed he had an extremely high white blood cell count. Soon after, he had a biopsy and was diagnosed with leukemia. What followed was a process of planning and coordinating, with a transfer to Seattle Children’s Hospital in the works. The Murphy family was relieved to receive a call from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Seattle, offering them accommodations close to Ryan’s medical care, 6 hours from home.

 While Ryan received care, his family was able to stay just steps away at Ronald McDonald House. Together, they enjoyed nightly meals prepared by volunteers with the community of families staying onsite. From special moments like grandparents’ visits with special pancake breakfast reminiscent of home to the entire family spending memorial time together, their stay with RMHC made all the difference in their journey. Today Ryan is happy, healthy, and living and working in Spokane today.

Before Ryan’s diagnosis, Trina had only heard of RMHC in passing but did not understand the true impact of the organization. Their experience had such an impact on her, and her family, and she knew she needed to stay connected to the mission. Upon returning home, she joined the board of RMHC Missoula. Then, when the family decided to move to Spokane, she applied to join Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest’s board. Today, Trina is continually active in her role and is crucial to development work.

 “I feel so blessed to have found RMHC. It has been a humbling experience, not only being able to help others but more importantly learning how to accept help, too. Thank you to all the people and companies that helped us and continue to help families in their times of need.” – Trina Murphy

Interested in joining RMHC INW’s community as a volunteer or donating to support families like Ryan’s, visit rmhcinlandnw.org.