Lilah’s Journey

“I love this place” – Lilah

With a huge grin on her face, Lilah will tell you that her favorite space at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Pittsburgh is the playroom. For her mother Katherin, she finds comfort sitting and talking with the other families.

Three-year-old Lilah was born with a rare kidney disease that had also affected her liver. After two years of receiving dialysis, Katherin was told that her daughter needed a multi-organ transplant. It was something she was not expecting to hear. Lilah’s physician additionally told Katherin that she needed the transplants quickly and advised her to look for living donors. With the help of family and friends, Katherin found two matches. In the summer of 2018, Lilah had both transplants just one day apart.

While Lilah was recovering, Katherin stayed at RMH Pittsburgh.  At times her family stayed there with her. It meant a lot to Katherin and Lilah to have family there with them. It was especially meaningful when Lilah’s big sister could visit.  Lilah and her mom would prepare for her sister’s visits by baking cookies in the community kitchen.

After three months, Lilah was able to go home to Mississippi where she could be with her big sister.

“The Ronald McDonald House has been a blessing, it has become our second home,” said Katherin.