Levi Lansdell was just three years old when he received a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia in August 2023.
His family, the Lansdells, who reside near Rome, found refuge at the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House (ARMHC), a facility designed for families needing to travel for their child’s medical care.
Zach Lansdell expressed deep gratitude to the supportive staff at the house.
He shared how the caregivers engaged with Levi, helping to divert the young boy’s attention from the challenges of his treatment.
“They really poured a lot of love into our family at a time when we needed it the most,” Zach said.
The Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities provides accommodations at no cost for families that must travel more than 50 miles for their child’s medical needs.
There are two Ronald McDonald Houses in Atlanta, each situated near a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital.
“It’s our belief when a child is sick, it’s critical the family be with them so we can facilitate family-centered care, which ensures the best possible medical outcome,” stated Marissa Greider, ARMHC’s senior director of philanthropy.
In addition to housing, the nonprofit organization offers transportation to and from the hospital, home-cooked meals, a community kitchen, and activities that provide positive diversion for the families.
The Lansdells found joy in the little things at the Ronald McDonald House.
Levi looked forward to the stuffed animals in his room and enjoyed playing in a shared playhouse, which he affectionately named the “Magic Tree House,” after a favorite book series.
Zach noted, “We always had a lot of great adventures at the Ronald McDonald House, met a lot of great people, and shared common experiences with other families with children going through similar illnesses.”
According to Greider, 86% of families who stay at the House are from Georgia, and the demand for accommodations is growing dramatically.
To address this increasing need, a new Atlanta Ronald McDonald House is being constructed at the Arthur M. Blank Hospital – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
This new facility is set to nearly double the current capacity and will be the first Ronald McDonald House in the Southeast to be located on a hospital campus.
With a total cost of $90 million, the five-story building will replace a smaller location three miles away and will feature 98 guest rooms, 18 transplant suites, an expanded dining room, and a five-story imaginative indoor play area, along with an outdoor discovery garden.
In collaboration with the Marcus Autism Center, the new house will also house a specialized prep and feeding room, a pioneering addition for Ronald McDonald Houses, catering specifically to families with children learning to adapt to new foods.
“For those families, mealtime is very stressful as children are learning to adapt to new foods and, in some cases, learning how to eat,” Greider explained.
The new house is scheduled to open on December 11, and preparations are underway for patient activities and volunteer opportunities.
Thousands of dedicated volunteers currently participate in the “Meals That Heal” program, providing home-cooked meals for families residing at the House.
Mary Stockstill has been leading her coworkers at Novelis in these meal services since 2017.
Under her leadership, the Novelis meal team has expanded to over 200 employees, contributing over 4,000 volunteer hours.
“This just hit a nerve. This just absolutely hit everyone in the heart,” Stockstill commented, highlighting the team’s enthusiasm for community service.
Volunteers prepare and serve meals at the organization’s Peachtree Dunwoody House twice a month.
These meals are homemade and served buffet-style, with volunteers joining families for the meal.
Stockstill has established friendships with several families and maintained contact long after their stay.
She noted that even employee spouses, children over the age of 14, and visiting coworkers often volunteer, showcasing a strong sense of community.
“Sometimes there are requests to serve meals as a team-building activity, because it’s amazing how well you work together when you’ve been cooking together,” she remarked.
Karli Lansdell also expressed her gratitude for the kindness bestowed upon her family by the volunteers during their time at ARMHC.
Today, the Lansdell family is experiencing a positive turnaround.
They have recently welcomed a baby girl into their family, and Levi will celebrate two years in remission in March.
Karli proudly reported that Levi has completed preschool and is actively participating in baseball.
“For them to be able to accept that burden on your behalf and give you a place to stay that’s not only affordable but clean, safe, fun, and provides a comfortable environment for your child to heal — it really meant a lot to our family,” Zach emphasized, reflecting on the support they received from ARMHC.
The new Ronald McDonald House has already raised $84.5 million of its $90 million goal, with 80% of its funding sourced from generous donations.
To learn more about the new House and ways to contribute, visit: armhc.org/about/our-new-house/
image source from：ajc
