On May 9, 2024, Haleigh Hurley of Monroe, Michigan, thought she was coming down with a stomach bug. But her world turned upside down when a visit to her local hospital revealed she was already 6 cm dilated. Doctors planned to transfer Haleigh to Toledo to delay the birth, but as the day went on, her labor progressed rapidly. By the time she was fully dilated, Haleigh delivered baby Blake prematurely.
For Haleigh, the experience was a whirlwind of shock and disbelief. For her husband Adam and their parents, it was a terrifying ordeal. Staff from Toledo’s ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital came to Monroe to assist, and Blake was quickly transported to the NICU in Toledo. Before he left, Haleigh was able to meet her tiny son for the first time—a moment filled with love and uncertainty.
The following day, Haleigh was discharged and joined Adam in Toledo to be by Blake’s side. When a hospital social worker introduced them to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio, Haleigh recognized the name but had no idea how life-changing the organization would be.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” Haleigh recalls. “But from the moment we walked through those doors, we felt supported in every way possible.”
The Ronald McDonald House became more than a place to stay—it became the Hurleys’ home-away-from-home during Blake’s NICU journey. For 101 nights, the House provided more than just proximity to the hospital. It gave the Hurley family a sense of normalcy in an otherwise uncertain time.
“It’s the little things that mean so much,” Haleigh explains. “On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we woke up to gift baskets from RMHC staff and volunteers. Those gestures reminded us to pause and appreciate the joy of being parents, even during a challenging time.”
The Ronald McDonald House offered free meals cooked by caring volunteers, a comfortable bed just steps away from the hospital, and a space where Haleigh and Adam could connect with other families who truly understood their fears and hopes.
Other thoughtful services, like complimentary haircuts every Monday, gave them moments of relief and self-care. “The House was always accommodating,” Haleigh says, describing her experience in one word.
Throughout their stay, the Hurleys celebrated milestones and holidays, finding strength and joy in the moments that mattered most. Fourth of July fireworks were a reminder of resilience, while the smiles from RMHC staff and volunteers kept their spirits lifted.
Haleigh’s advice to other RMHC families is heartfelt: “Take it one minute at a time. Celebrate the little milestones. Slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the small things. Appreciate the meals and events RMHC provides. And don’t be afraid to talk to other families—it can make all the difference.”
Adam echoes her sentiments, expressing gratitude to RMHC’s donors, volunteers, and staff. “Your support carried us through the hardest time in our lives,” he says. “We’ll never forget it.”
Today, baby Blake is thriving. He’s healthy, hitting all his milestones, and is the light of his parents’ lives. The Hurleys’ journey at the Ronald McDonald House may have come to an end, but the impact it had on their family will last forever.
“The Ronald McDonald House gave us more than a place to stay,” Haleigh shares. “It gave us hope, strength, and a community of love when we needed it most.”
For families like the Hurleys, the Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place to stay—it’s a home-away-from-home with a loving and supportive community. Help us support more families like the Hurleys with a donation to RMHC Northwest Ohio by clicking here.