The Jones Family
In the fall of 2016, six-year-old Chase Jones, son of Marcie and Doug Jones, was diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, he was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ALL), a rare subtype of the most common childhood cancer, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Chase’s diagnosis was devastating for his parents and three older siblings. The family spent the next several years in and out of the hospital, hanging onto hope at the Red River Ronald McDonald House in Fargo.
Marcie and Doug were introduced to RMHC by a hospital social worker back when it was located at the South House, then continued to stay at the new location when needed. The Jones family consider it a huge relief that they had a safe place to stay as Chase received care in Fargo–especially since they live in Granville, ND, five hours away.
In 2017, the summer after he turned seven, Chase became ill with pneumonia and spent several
weeks in the hospital. He proceeded to develop posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), a rare condition in which parts of the brain are affected by swelling. This swelling led to a seizure that put Chase in an eight-day coma. The Jones family spent those long days wondering if Chase would survive. He received therapy after his miraculous recovery, and for five additional weeks, RMHC provided a safe and comforting home away from home.
“We never, never questioned that we always had somewhere to stay,” Marcie said. “A safe place where we knew everybody. It was like a family. They always had everything we needed.”
“For over six years, the Ronald McDonald House has been a mainstay. It’s something we could always rely on and find comfort from.”
- Marcie Jones (154 Nights)
In 2021, before Chase was listed as a bone-marrow transplant candidate, the Jones family stayed at RMHC frequently for Chase’s continued treatment of ALL, a second battle against pneumonia, and a change in chemotherapy drugs. In June of that year, Chase received a transplant from his older sister in California and spent four additional weeks at RMHC during the recovery. As the Jones family moved in and out, RMHC continued to make room and support them in every way possible.
“Before Chase’s diagnosis, before any of this, we knew [RMHC] existed,” Marcie said. “But never, in a million years, would you know the depth of it until you’re actually part of it and you need that help and support.”
Marcie recalls fond memories of holidays spent at the house, time relaxing in the living room while Chase enjoyed the game room, and trips to the Red River Zoo–one
of Chase’s favorite outings. For the Jones family, staying at RMHC was like “being at home.”
Additionally, RMHC made it possible for Marcie and Doug’s older children to stay and support Chase when they visited. Being surrounded by family and having an encouraging environment made all the difference as the family experienced so much unpredictability. RMHC cultivated conditions that reduced anxiety and provided basic necessities that took additional pressure and expenses off their family. They made it possible for Marcie and Doug to focus entirely on Chase.
“It’s nice to have a place where your family can stay, and other people just get it. It’s different,” Marcie said. “You don’t have to worry. When Chase was in the part of treatment where he lost his hair, no one gave a second look. In a way, it’s normal. You feel more comfortable there.”
Today, Chase is eleven years old and still talks with other children he met at RMHC. He cherishes memories from his time there too. Knowing that places like RMHC exist for people in situations like this gives the Jones family peace of mind.
“If you have the time, volunteer. If you have the means, donate,” Marcie said. “It’s definitely a worthy cause and something I hope in the future our family will be able to reciprocate and give back to because we have been the recipients time and again.”
A NOTE FROM Jill Christopher Chief Executive Officer
A highlight of my job is reading the comments that our guest families leave after their stay at the Ronald McDonald House. They often mention our incredible staff, the wonderful meals cooked by volunteers, the cleanliness of our space, and the stress that their stay at the Ronald McDonald House relieved.
As I think about these wonderful comments and the hard work of our team, I am filled with gratitude for our amazing supporters who made our recent Phase 2 expansion possible.
The seven additional guest rooms we opened this past spring have meant that nearly 100 families were not waitlisted, but rather found respite at the Ronald McDonald House when they needed it. For these families, this meant less stress and more time near their sick child focusing on getting them well. In this season of Thanksgiving, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for those who make our mission possible – our staff, donors, volunteers, board members, and cheerleaders. Thank you for ensuring our Ronald McDonald House program is available for 24 families each day 365 days a year!
- Jill Christopher
Officers Katie Rizzo Sanford Health President Madison Quamme Flint Group Vice President Jeremy Ostrowski Aldevron Past President Alexis Odden Eide Bailly Treasurer Emily Cook McDonald's Secretary Members Todd Anderson Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body Katie Bjornson Fargo Center for Dermatology Nicole Christensen Arkos Health Josh Malnourie Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND Shawn Paschke Xcel Energy Amanda Richter Scott Steinmetz Microsoft Caitlin Stoecker Doosan Bobcat Jean Zimmerman Offutt Family Foundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
of the Red River Valley
