The Filipi Family

On September 5, 2010, Ben and Tracy Filipi welcomed their twin boys Dallas and Adrian into the world. The twins were born 8 weeks premature after their mother underwent an emergency C-Section. This began a month-long NICU journey for the family.

Ben and Tracy had been married for six years and were already experienced parents when they welcomed their twin boys. Their daughter Lilliana was born two years prior, but sadly passed away at 15 months old–just one year before the couple welcomed their twins. Although the couple was excited for the birth of their boys, nothing could prepare even these seasoned parents for the challenges an early delivery and subsequent NICU stay would bring.

Dallas and Adrian were admitted to the NICU at MeritCare, now Sanford, over two hours away from their family home in Bemidji, MN. While in the hospital, Adrian and Dallas required ventilators to breathe, isolettes to stay warm, and temporary feeding tubes while they learned how to eat.

The boys continued to gain weight and strength as they called the NICU “home” for a month, and were finally released on their one-month birthday. Ben and Tracy spent those early days navigating the challenges and triumphs of parenthood all while juggling the complications of receiving medical care miles from home. Ben would commute back to Bemidji during the week to work, and would return to Fargo and enjoy weekends with Tracy and the boys. For Ben, having the Ronald McDonald House meant everything.

“It took a large load off my mind knowing that [Tracy] was safe and taken care of while being present for our boys,” Ben said.

Back at the House, Tracy enjoyed the short walks to and from the hospital each day.

“Knowing there was a hot meal and friendly faces waiting back at the house made the long days less lonely,” she said.

Ben remembers how friendly, inviting, and peaceful the Ronald McDonald House was when he joined the family on weekends.

“We stayed at the house when it was on north Broadway in a very quiet neighborhood. When I stayed the night, it was so quiet and felt like home,” he said.

He also recalls the excitement the staff shared with the couple every time they received an update on Dallas and Adrian.

The genuine care and positive environment provided by the RMHC staff made a world of difference for the Filipi family.

For Ben and Tracy, the amenities offered by the RHMC were welcome surprises.

“I felt like I didn’t have to worry about anything except our boys’ recovery. If we were to stay at a hotel, we would have felt alone,” Ben said.

The generosity and caring environment provided by the RMHC staff helped the Filipi family in more ways than they can possibly explain.

“We could not have done it as well if we were on our own,” Ben said.

Today, Dallas and Adrian are 6th graders and have suffered no ill effects from their early birth – they are happy, healthy, and full of life.

The family expanded once more when they welcomed their youngest daughter, Aspen, in 2018.

“Today, as I sit here watching our taller-than-me 12-year-olds interact with our 4-year-old, my heart is full thinking about the people who helped us get to this point,” Tracy said. “At the time Dallas and Adrian were born, I remember thinking, ‘will our boys ever make it home?’ There is no greater joy than to have love and laughter fill our house.”

A NOTE FROM Jill Christopher CEO

April is such a fun time of year as we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week. We could not do what we do without the amazing support of volunteers. In 2022 alone, we had over 2,300 volunteers that contributed 4400+ hours to help keep families near their sick kids. This is a value of $130,000 to our operations last year – a huge savings!

Our volunteers bring joy through cooking homemade meals and baking yummy treats. They keep our Ronald McDonald House in tip top condition by helping with cleaning and yardwork. Our Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers bring comfort to parents of NICU patients at Essentia Health. Many others answer the phones, fold letters, serve on our committees and Board, and so much more.

I am incredibly grateful for the hundreds of people who give of their time and skills to make RMHC of the Red River Valley a better place for the families we serve each year. We are better because of each one of you. With a thankful heart,

Jill Christopher CEO