The Gallo Family

Our Story

Unexpectedly, just over a year ago in March 2025, our daughter Carmen was diagnosed with a serious case of pneumonia – her diagnoses put our family in a situation that no one could have ever been prepared for. Having been overwhelmed with intense emotions and stress, we don’t know what we would have done without Ronald McDonald House.

We didn’t know where to begin or how to manage being by Carmen’s bedside while also managing to take care of ourselves to be there for her. Everything felt unpredictable while we were trying to navigate next steps for her and our family during the long 5-week journey.

We are from Guelph, which meant it would be a challenge commuting to and from the hospital to be with Carmen. However, after our social worker recommended Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton, we were grateful that we could stay there just a 5-minute walk away. We were lucky enough to stay at the House for 45 nights – the House became a home for my wife and I while Carmen recovered.

I'm not sure how we would have managed Carmen's hospital stay without the help and support of the Ronald McDonald House.

The House became a place where my wife and I could rest and gather energy before returning to the hospital; the respite the House provided was much need as we dealt with our sick child, continuous test, and what felt like an army of doctors.

The House had become a safe haven for our family – it was a clean and comfortable place to sleep and it nourished us with delicious meals daily. The House provided us with so much care and comfort that it felt like a home away from home, while juggling split night shifts so one of us would always be with Carmen.

We are truly grateful we could stay at Ronald McDonald House as well as for the support of staff, volunteers, and donors. The House made the impossible, possible!