From Our House to YOURS
FAMILY STORY:
The Lykins and Petersens
A Home for Hope
Finding Strength in Community
at the Ronald McDonald House
In the face of life’s most trying times, the Ronald McDonald House stands as a sanctuary offering families a home filled with hope, resilience, and community. For the Petersens and Lykins, it became the place where their stories of courage and connection began to intertwine.
A World Turned Upside Down
Kristin and Chris Petersen always saw their daughter, Norma, as the life of the party. “She’s always been smiling and happy,” Kristin shared. “She’s friends with anybody and everybody, she loves about everything.” But one day, their vibrant daughter’s world began to shift.
In June 2023, they noticed a change in her behavior. Their once-bubbly daughter
was now having pain in her left leg. She wasn’t eating, she wasn’t moving, she wasn’t sleeping. After three days of monitoring Norma, they sought answers. Following several tests, the doctors confirmed Kristin’s fears.
The diagnosis of B-cell leukemia was devastating. Suddenly, the family found themselves asking questions no parent should ever have to: Why is this happening? What are we going to do? What comes next?
The Petersen family faced an additional challenge: they live in Culbertson, Montana, a town hours away from any major healthcare facilities that would be able to undertake the care Norma required. The thought of making
“They’ve gone through stuff I’ll never experience. That’s something they can share.”
Chris Petersen
Norma Petersen, 8 Culbertson, MT
Charlotte Lykins, 7 Sisseton, SD
constant trips back and forth while Norma received treatments seemed impossible.
This is where Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley became their lifeline. Unlike local families who might be able to return home each night, the Petersens needed a place to call home for weeks, even months, while staying close to the hospital. A hospital social worker suggested they look into the Ronald McDonald House of Fargo. A few phone calls later and the Petersen family’s next steps were laid out before them: get to Fargo, stay at the Ronald McDonald House, and begin Norma’s journey to recovery.
A Friendship Blooms
For Norma, adjusting to this new chapter wasn’t easy. “She was scared. She didn’t have any friends. She didn’t have her family here,” Kristin explained. “She needed a friend that was going through what she was going through.”
Then Norma met Charlotte
Charlotte’s parents, Rachel and Jared Lykins, remember it vividly. “Charlotte was shy and nervous at first,” Jared shared.
“Then she met Norma. She was like ‘You don’t have any hair. I’m not going to have any hair.’ They were best friends from then on.”
In November 2023, Charlotte was diagnosed with APL leukemia, a battle mirroring that of Norma. In a similar position, the Lykins aren’t Fargo locals: they live in Sisseton, South Dakota. In many ways, the two families shared similarities within their journeys.
The bond they created was instant and deep, stemming from the shared struggles they endured. “They’ve gone through stuff I’ll never experience,” Chris said. “That’s something they can share.”
A Community of Comfort
The Ronald McDonald House quickly became more than just a roof over their heads—it was a source of support where the families could navigate the good and hard days of their treatment journeys together.
“You have someone there besides your spouse to talk to about the overwhelmingness of it all,” Rachel shared.
For the children, the House offered a rare chance to simply be kids.
“When we get back from appointments, we can come back here and whatever happened becomes forgotten,” Jared said. “The chance for them to just unload all of that really helps them out. It helps us as parents too, because we get to see our kids be kids through this process.”
“There’s really no place like home. But if you’re not home, there’s no place like the Ronald McDonald House.”
Jared Lykins
Kristin emphasized how much the small comforts meant. “Having somewhere safe, somewhere to do laundry, have meals cooked for you and somewhere that your kids can run around and be themselves,” she said. “It was one of the biggest reasons that we chose to keep coming to Fargo.”
The Power of Giving
The warmth of the Ronald McDonald House wouldn’t be possible without the hearts of volunteers and donors who make it feel like home.
“The amount of volunteers that come in here to clean and cook and donate items, we’re very thankful for that,” Jared said.
“Supporting the Ronald McDonald House gives people the freedom to just breathe.”
The Petersen Family
The Lykins Family
That generosity allows families to focus on what matters most: their children. “It’s because of donations that really makes it so comfortable for the families to stay here and not have to worry about other things,” Kristin said. “That’s what we need. We need to worry about our sick kids.”
Grateful Hearts, Lifelong Bonds
Today, both families reflect on their time at the Ronald McDonald House with gratitude. “My kids have made lifelong friends here,” Kristin shared. “Norma and Charlotte, they were instantly besties. And Rachel and Jared, we talk to them every time we come here. It’s really nice to have that connection you can rely on.”
For Rachel and Jared, the friendships built at the House are just as meaningful. “I’m very grateful for the connection between families that happen here,” Jared shared.
“Especially for our kids to be able to make connections with other kids that are here.”
The House gave them more than just a place to stay—it gave them hope, community, and a sense of normalcy in the midst of chaos.
Jared shared this sentiment: “There’s really no place like home. But if you’re not home, there’s no place like the Ronald McDonald House.”
A Beacon of Hope
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley doesn’t just provide shelter—it provides love, resilience, and hope for families facing the hardest days of their lives.
For families like the Petersens and Lykins, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, the
CEO A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER
light of community shines bright. And for those who support it, the impact of their generosity extends far beyond what they can see, creating a legacy of love that will last for generations to come.
Each day at the Ronald McDonald House, I see firsthand the weight families carry when they are far from home, facing the unimaginable. Like so many, Charlotte, Norma and their families arrived here overwhelmed and filled with uncertainty. What they found wasn’t just a place to sleep—it was a community. A community where people share experiences – good and bad – like holding their newborn baby for the first time or discussing the ups and downs of cancer treatments.
I’ve watched parents lean on one another, finding the support they need to keep going.
I’ve seen kids laugh and play, creating moments of normalcy even when life feels anything but. At RMHC, we do more than provide shelter; we provide the space for healing, connection, and hope.
None of this is possible without you. Your generosity gives families the comfort they so desperately need. Thank you for joining us in this mission. Together, we are the community that makes all the difference for the families of RMHC.
Jill Christopher CEO
Simple ways to support
RMHC this year
Roll up your sleeves and volunteer! Plan a date in our volunteer kitchen to whip up meals that bring families together or help with cleaning or special projects! Schedule your date by emailing us at volunteer@rmhcfargo.org. Make a difference today!
Be a paper towel hero. Shop our WISHLISTS to provide everyday essentials that keep our house running smoothly.
Pop those tabs for a purpose. Start a pop tab collection and encourage your friends to turn their recyclables into support for families in need. Drop off your pop tabs anytime at the House, located at 4757 Agassiz Xing S, Fargo.
Spread the word. Share our mission on social media and help grow our community.
facebook.com/RMHCRRV/ instagram.com/rmhcfargo/ linkedin.com/company/rmhcfargo/
action, big or small, makes you a part of something truly
Your spare change makes a BIG difference!
“Round Up” every time you visit McDonald’s Restaurants and help families receiving medical care in the FM area enjoy the comforts of home when it matters most!
