Meet Grier

Amy and Jeff’s son, Grier, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was 3 years old. Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Because of Grier’s type of cancer, the family traveled to New York City so he could receive treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Grier has had numerous medical procedures performed, and sometimes these procedures required the family to remain in New York City for up to 5 weeks. Grier responded well to treatment; however, he relapsed in August 2009 and must travel to New York City from Charlotte every 90 days for treatment.

Families whose children were also being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering suggested the family stay at the nearby Ronald McDonald House.

“After staying at the Ronald McDonald House, we finally felt there was hope,” Amy said. “We were living in a new city and being treated in a new hospital, and it was nice to be surrounded by such supportive people. Because the House is close to the hospital and only $35 a night, it made things a lot easier on us. We were able to focus on getting Grier the best medical care far away from our home.”

When the family travels to the “NY Ronald” (what they like to call it), they enjoy meeting other families who are going through the same situation.

“It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone,” Amy said. “We have met a lot of nice families from all over the world and we all have at least one thing in common – a child with pediatric cancer.”

The House not only provides them with a home away from home, but also a lot of perks that divert their attention away from Grier’s cancer. During Grier’s second thoracotomy, the family was given tickets to see the New York Yankees play in the new Yankee Stadium.

“Grier loves baseball and this was such a treat for him,” Amy said. “Going to watch a game at the new Yankee Stadium was a great way for him to not think about his upcoming surgery and allowed him to be a kid.”

Amy and Jeff believe Charlotte is lucky to have two great children’s hospitals so close to each other, and the upcoming Ronald McDonald House will bring a lot of comfort to families just like the one in New York City did for them.

“You don’t want to think about anything else when your child is sick,” Amy said. “A Ronald McDonald House allows you to put a lot of your worries at ease and focus on your most important asset, your child.”