A Legacy of Love

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane. By Patty Hutchens. Photo Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House

When Chris West was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 10, his family witnessed a child whose light shone through even on the worst days. “Chris was one of the kindest and most joyful children that has ever been placed on this earth,” said his mom, Carol. “The strength and courage he had was something to behold.”

Sadly, after a 13-month battle, Chris passed away at the age of 11. That was in 1976, and today his family recalls Chris’ infectious spirit - a spirit that continues to touch others today.

Chris’ brother Kevin recalls a toe headed blonde who was always happy. “Chris always had a grin on his face, like he had been up to something that he shouldn’t have been,” said Kevin. Younger sister Kelli West-McDaniel has memories of a brother who made her laugh. “Chris was the funny one. Always cracking jokes, making silly faces, being a goofball. He always had me laughing,” said Kelli. “Even when he was super sick from chemo, he still didn’t complain.”

But it was Chris’ compassionate side that Carol remembers most. “Each time we walked into the waiting room (of the hospital), Chris would look for someone who appeared sad or alone and would sit with them and spend time talking to them. It didn’t matter if it was a child or an adult,” recalls Carol.

It was that compassion and empathy that Chris showed for others that his family has emulated in the years since his death. After Chris passed away, Carol and Chris’ father Pat worked hard to do what they could to help families who struggled with a sick child. Thus began the story of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, which over the past 27 years has provided a home away from home for over 12,000 families.

When the Wests initially tried to bring a Ronald McDonald House to Spokane, they were told the demand would not support it. Undeterred, Pat and Carol persisted, and four years later McDonalds agreed to partner with them on their journey.

Pat credits many, including friends and business associates, for stepping forward in those early days to help create a gift for others. “We raised enough money to build it debt free,” said Pat of the home that sits on the lower South Hill in Spokane near Deaconess Medical Center.

The home is just that – a home. It has a beautiful outside play area, warm inviting family room and a full kitchen. It can house up to 22 families at a time, but the need has extended much beyond that.

“Our average wait list over the past two years has ranged from 15-25 families,” said Colleen Fox, the Director of Development and Communications for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane.

Because of the neo-natal services available in Spokane, many families who give birth to premature babies stay at the Ronald McDonald House until the time they can bring their child home. There are families with children undergoing cancer treatments and rehabilitative therapies among others.

“We have had families stay with us for as long as 12 months at a time. Many families who have children with cancer stay at the House for an extended period of time during their child’s initial phase of treatment, which usually ranges from 3-12 months, and then stay with us again when they come back to Spokane for ongoing treatments,” said Fox. “We have kids who have stayed with us off and on for as long as eight years.”

While the West family lived in the same city where Chris received treatments, Carol said she met many families who were from outside the area who struggled with not only medical bills but also housing costs. It was families like those she and Pat hoped to reach. And their vision has touched thousands.

“My mom saw many families with sick kids from out of town,” said Kevin. “It was quite apparent that it was difficult for family members to sleep on the floors and chairs of the hospital rooms to be close to their kids, or maintain any semblance of normalcy in their family’s lives while going through the rigors of chemotherapy or other children’s illnesses.”

According to Fox, The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane serves families from a four state region: Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Eastern Oregon and Montana. “However, we’ve had families from other parts of the country who have had a medical emergency with their child while in Spokane stay with us as well,” said Fox who shares that a family from Arizona was in Spokane for the CDA Ironman competition when their son was born prematurely. “They ended up staying in Spokane for two months.”

The needs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane are many. Because they are at capacity almost every night and have a long waiting list, the need for expansion is evident. But according to Fox, the largest need is to increase fundraising efforts and expand the donor base so when they do expand they have the necessary resources to support expanded operations. “We absolutely want to be able to serve more families with children in medical crisis, but are committed to doing so in a way that is fiscally responsible and that exercises prudent stewardship,” said Fox.

Typical costs for families include transportation to and from Spokane and their hometown, medical bills, childcare, and some food. However, the Ronald McDonald House provides a fully stocked pantry as well as milk, eggs and other necessities. They also have an emergency fund for families who are under extreme financial distress so that they can provide some assistance for unexpected expenses.

But it is not just a place to stay that Ronald McDonald House provides; friendships are formed there too. “It does so much for the people who need the emotional support,” said Pat. “Most of the families (who stay at the House) do not have much in the way of nest eggs. In many cases dad has to stay at home and continue to work. It puts a lot of financial stress on people so we’ve been very blessed and fortunate to be able to do this.”

Kevin lives in Spokane and like his parents spends much of the summer in Sandpoint. He is a past president of the Board for the Ronald McDonald House and his two daughters currently serve on the Teen Board for the House.

Kelli, a resident of Sandpoint, said she is touched when she meets people who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. “It makes me proud to be my parents’ daughter,” said Kelli. “It makes me feel excited and at peace when I hear that someone has been touched by my brother’s life and my parents’ foresight and generosity.”

To learn more on how your donations can help the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, log onto www.rmhcspokane.org/donate.

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