Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central IndianaNewsletter | WINTER 2018

The Story of Zhara: a Blessing and a Miracle

Imagine being faced with the decision of removing half of your child’s brain or watching them su�er in constant pain for the rest of their life. For Waheed Chuahdary and his wife, Sumiara, that decision became a reality. Born with a rare brain malformation, their baby daughter, Zhara, began to su�er severe seizures shortly after birth. Zhara was soon transferred from her hometown of Ft. Wayne, IN to Riley Children’s Hospital at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. For months, doctors worked to find a cure while Zhara underwent constant checks and a rigorous course of medications. Yet still, her condition worsened. By nine months old, Zhara had been admitted to the hospital no less than 10 times and was experiencing 10-14 seizures an hour.

“She could not function. If she cried, if she ate or tried to do anything, she would have a seizure,”said Waheed.

Far from home and facing mounting medical debt, Waheed and his family found comfort at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana each time Zhara was transferred to Riley Hospital for Children.

“We could have been devastated by our financial circumstances,” noted Waheed, whose three older children also stayed at the House. “We would not have been able to pay for food for everyone three times a day, parking or a room…it was a blessingfor us.”

After much research and deliberation, doctors at Riley Hospital presented Waheed and Sumiara with an option: a hemispherectomy to remove the right side of Zhara’s brain. Doctors warned that Zhara may su�er lasting e�ects including loss of mobility and function on her left side. But after watching their child su�er continuously, Waheed and his family decided to take the risk. Through the 14-hour surgery and following recuperation, Zhara’s parents and siblings were there for every minute thanks to the Ronald McDonald House.

“The Ronald McDonald House helped keep us standing,” said Waheed.

As Zhara looks forward to celebrating her first birthday on Christmas Eve, her family couldn’t be more excited. Since her surgery two months ago, Zhara has been seizure-free, can now interact with her family, and her parents have yet to see signs of lessened mobility.

”We never imagined that she could have had this quality of life,” said Waheed. “We are so blessed.”

Baby Zhara all smiles before her big surgery

Mom, Dad and siblings enjoying a selfie at the park

A LETTER FROM OURCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT

The holiday season is in full swing here at the Ronald McDonald House! Thank you to everyone who joined us on Nov. 27 for our annual "Home for the Holidays" Open House presented by CFH Enterprises, LLC.

We sipped on hot cocoa, decorated cookies, took photos with Santa and voted on our favorite trees. Congratulations to VMS BioMarketing's unicorn tree for winning our third annual "Deck the House" Tree Decorating Contest! Also, a big thank to IUPUI Center for Young Children, the Oldenburg Academy Singers and Bryce Wray-Nelson for the wonderful entertainment.

As you read this newsletter and look at all the photos, you can see just how much we depend on our donors and volunteers to help us provide a “home-away-from-home” for families when they need it the most. From providing our families with special experiences to partnering with us to create and support many wonderful events, your support makes a di�erence in the lives of the 5,000+ families we serve each year.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season.

Michelle Study CampbellChief Executive O�cer

Since our beginning, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has worked alongside RMHCCIN to support children in critical condition and their families. From room adoption, event partnerships and helping us launch new programs. Riley Hospital plays a critical role in keeping families together and near the care they need.

2018 DECK THE HOUSETREE DECORATING CONTEST

1st Place: VMS BioMarketing - Unicorn

Participants: Barnes & Thornburg, CFH Enterprises, DryBar, Indianapolis Indians, International Interior Design Association/RATIO, Messer Construction, National Bank of Indianapolis, NextGear Capital, OmniSource, Safelite AutoGlass, Sun King Brewing Co., Universal Hospital Services, VMS BioMarketing

Families & guests enjoy our Open House craft station

Beautiful decór courtesy of Engledow Group Visits with Santa were a popular stop at our “Home for the Holidays” Open House

For almost nine years, NextGear Capital has supported Ronald McDonald House families. Whether they are serving as an event sponsor, decorating our House for the holidays or serving one of their delicious monthly breakfasts, we can always count on NextGear Capital to help keep families together.

OUR 11TH ANNUAL TASTE GALAWAS UN GRANDE SUCCESSO!

Another spectacular night of fundraising in the books! Thank you to our 450+ friends who sipped, savored and supported at our 11th Annual Taste gala, featuring wines and cuisine of Italy.

Together, we were able to set another Taste record, raising nearly $220,000 in support of the families we serve at RMHCCIN!

An extra special thank you to the Taste Planning Committee, RMHCCIN Board of Directors and Young Professionals Board, our fabulous emcee, Peter Dunn, aka Pete the Planner, staff, volunteers and our generous partners who made the evening possible!

The Simons family telling our Taste guests their story and how the Ronald McDonald House helped them in their time of need.

...the WineRegions of Italy

#NationalTeddyBearDayw/Southwest Airlines

RMHCCIN was one of 91 RMHC chapters across the world to receive teddy bears from Southwest Airlines® & Build-A-Bear Workshop® in celebration of #NationalTeddyBearDay! Our families were bear-y excited!

Superhero Nightw/Courage & Kindness Co.

Our good friends Wonder Woman & Super Girl from Courage & Kindness Co. stopped by for superhero training & storytelling!

The Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) stopped by to give our kiddos a chance to build their own RMHC toolboxes!

Nothing like the Budweiser Clydesdales to bring some holiday cheer!

AROUND THE HOUSE

THANK YOUTASTE PARTNERS!

UPS®AllegionAnthemBarnes & Thornburg LLPCardinal SpiritsCarrier Corp.Coca-ColaDELV DesignGroupOne HealthsourceIndiana Members Credit UnionIndy Facets

Kendra ScottMcDonald’s of Central IndianaMesser ConstructionNational Bank of IndianapolisNordstromOmniSourcePerformance Contracting Inc.Pile CPAsPrint ResourcesRowland DesignTrendyMinds

“Carpenters Caring for Kids”w/IKORCC

Visit from theBudweiser Clydesdales

DONATE A VEHICLE TODAYMake a vehicle donation before the end of the year and receive a tax deduction on your next tax return. When you make a tax-deductible vehicle donation, you help families staying at RMHCCIN by keeping them close to their hospitalized child.

Visit onecarhelpsrmhc.com for more information!

435 Limestone StreetIndianapolis, IN 46202-2819(317) 269-2247rmhccin.org Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 5703Indianapolis, IN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HOUSE STAFF

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD

Alicia Schulhof, PresidentRandy Shields, Vice PresidentJim Glasener, SecretaryMichael Boatright, TreasurerDavid Peterson, Past President

DirectorsAnushree M. BagAndy BallKaren CampbellAnnette CoulombeCurt HiddeTroy HoganAlan HoltJami Kasprzyk

Michelle Study-Campbell, Chief Executive O�cerStacy Payne Miller, Chief Operating O�cerKelly Thien, Chief Advancement O�cerSavannah Ball, Corporate & Community Partnerships ManagerSarah Bodem, Database AdministratorCandice Bradbury, Business & Finance ManagerPatti Cooper, House Operations AssociateMarci Corbin, Family Experience CoordinatorLee Ann Devine, Grants O�cerManpreet Dhillon, Marketing & Development AssociateMary Friend, Volunteer Resources ManagerMarla Hatchel, Operations AssociateLori Lambert, Development O�cer, Special EventsDavid Lawson, Lead Guest Services AssociateLisa Lusk, Administrative AssistantRachel Moehle, Marketing & Communications ManagerShelly Shafer Cates, Guest Services Sr. ManagerPeg Strodtbeck, Major Gifts O�cer

Amy Cosgrove, PresidentAlex Miser, Past PresidentJulia Baer, Vice President - InternalMJ Dunne, SecretaryJinee Majors, Treasurer

Riley CarterBrenda EwiglebenKen Blickensta�

Marissa KieferDavid J. KleimanMichael P. LabanaraJim NickensDavid PetersonJill RoseGerry StieglitzCatherine Stiver

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 2019 EVENTS• State of the House // March 13 // Ronald McDonald House• Brunch & Blingo // April 13 // TBD• Swing for Kids Pro-Am Golf Tournament // June 3 // Chatham Hills• Pop Tab & Coin Drop // July 26 // Monument Circle• Taste Gala // November 1 // TBD• Home for the Holidays Open House // November 26 // Ronald McDonald House

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OPEN TOGRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

In 2019, RMHCCIN will award 20 Central Indiana high school seniors each with a $5,000 scholarship. The RMHCCIN Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students in financial need who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.

Graduating high school seniors should apply by Thursday, January 17, 2019. For more information visit rmhccin.org/what-we-do.

2018 RMHCCIN Scholarship Recipients

You can help build a foundation of support for RMHCCIN families. Now through December 31, your first month’s gift will

be matched by a generous donor up to a total of $10,000! Double your impact and make your year-end gift today!

Small increments, BIG IMPACTJoin our FAMILY TREE