24 Oct Meet the Martinez Family

Thirteen-year-old Jesus Martinez’s admiration for his older brother, Steven, reached new heights when Steven selflessly donated a life-saving kidney. Their journey, marked by love and sacrifice, unfolded with the help of RMHC South Florida.

Juana says the Ronald McDonald house was “heaven sent” as they pondered how they could afford traveling to Miami for their sons’ surgeries. “It’s as if God put these angels in our path. My husband and I were prepared to sleep in the car if that’s what it took,” says Juana, who first learned about the House when a social worker at the Miami Transplant Institute told her about it.

“’You are not alone in this’, she told us. It sounded too good to be true, to be honest. A roof over our heads, food, even laundry detergent!” says Juana. “She told me the only thing I needed to worry about was making sure Jesus got better.”

Most important to Juana is the sense of family at the House. “You are surrounded by parents who are on similar journeys, and everyone is so supportive. When Jesus returned to the house after discharge, everyone was genuinely happy for us,” she says. “The staff is fantastic. Dawn, Liz, Ceci, everyone makes you feel so loved. They provide so much emotional support. You feel an incredible sense of peace around them.” 

Juana is eager to share her experience in order to build awareness for the good works underway at the House. “I hope God continues to bless you with goodness. You all truly deserve it.”