“They deserve opportunities to just be kids, and the Ronald McDonald House helps make that possible.”
-Dash and Mia’s mom
For Dash and Mia, Ronald McDonald House means more than a stop between appointments. It means play, familiar faces and a community that remembers.
For the Needy family, visits to Washington, DC often mean another day of appointments, specialists and travel. Ronald McDonald House Washington DC gives them something different to look forward to: a welcoming place where Dash and Mia can simply be kids.
Claudia and her family live about an hour and a half from Washington, DC. Both of her children receive ongoing care at Children’s National Hospital, making trips into the city a regular part of family life.
Dash sees specialists in rheumatology, immunology, ear, nose and throat care, and pulmonology. He lives with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, asthma and recurrent ear infections. His sister Mia’s medical journey began before birth, when doctors discovered a heart defect during Claudia’s pregnancy. At six months old, Mia underwent surgery at Children’s National to repair a right aortic arch and vascular ring. Today, she also receives care for epilepsy and feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Although the family has not needed a long-term stay, they have used Ronald McDonald House for short-term outpatient visits. For Claudia, the difference is about more than travel logistics. It is about having a place that welcomes the people who help her children through it all—including their grandparents, Judie and Wade.
“You haven’t just made room for me and my children; you have made room for our family as a whole,” Claudia wrote.
The children look forward to the friendly faces, snacks, playroom and playground. Between medical appointments, those ordinary pleasures matter. They give Dash and Mia a chance to laugh, explore and enjoy time away from clinical spaces.
The connection continues after visits, too. Claudia says the family receives check-ins and invitations to activities that remind them they are part of a caring community. In August 2026, the family met members of the Baltimore Ravens—an unforgettable experience outside the rhythm of medical care.
Claudia hopes their story helps others see that Ronald McDonald House supports families in more ways than overnight stays. Short-term visits, family activities and relationships that last all help families navigate ongoing medical needs.
“You remind us that we are part of a family that extends beyond the walls of Ronald McDonald House, and that even when we aren’t there, you haven’t forgotten about us.”
At Ronald McDonald House Washington DC, families find essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing—so they can stay together and remain part of their child’s care.
Every family has a story, and every act of kindness helps make that story a little brighter. For Claudia and her children, Dash and Mia, Ronald McDonald House Washington DC offers more than a place to stay during their medical journeys. It provides a welcoming space where they can find comfort, connect as a family, and enjoy moments of childhood beyond hospital appointments and treatments.
You can help make these moments possible for families like the Needy family, too! Whether you volunteer your time, support our programs, or help create special memories for families, there are many ways to make a difference. Your kindness helps ensure families have a place to feel at home when they need it most.
Have a story of your own to share? We would love to hear from you! Sharing your story can inspire others, celebrate the power of community, and show how compassion makes a difference in the lives of families navigating medical challenges.
Get involved, share your story, and help us create more moments of comfort, connection, and childhood joy for families when they need them most.
Get involved, share your story, and help us bring more comfort, connection, and smiles to families when they need them most.
Room for the Whole Family: Dash and Mia’s Story “They deserve opportunities to just be kids, and the Ronald McDonald House helps make that possible.” -Dash and Mia’s mom Mia
Finding Comfort, Creating Memories: Cyne Hunter’s Family Story “We are so grateful and thankful we crossed paths with Ronald McDonald House, thank you so much for everything that you have
A Special Smile Break with the Baltimore Ravens, DCAcar®, and McDonald’s Forever Families enjoying a donated McDonald’s lunch after attending the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp Sometimes a Smile Break looks
