The Busch family, Northland
Teresa Busch was in tears at the thought of leaving Ronald McDonald House Auckland which she had made her home away from home for seven weeks since arriving in July 2006. “I don't want to go home, I will miss everyone here, the staff have all been so nice, kind and supportive.”
The Ruawai mother of nine was flown by helicopter down to Auckland Hospital on 24 July as she had gone into early labour at just 27 weeks. This was not the first premature labour for Teresa and she was deeply concerned for her baby’s life as her two prior premature births had not survived.
Soon after her arrival into Auckland, baby boy Noah was born by caesarean section as he was in the breech position. Noah was such a tiny wee thing and needed to have oxygen and specialist treatment to help him survive his first few weeks in the world. Teresa stayed on the ward and at Noah’s side for the first five days while both were recovering.
After the first five days Teresa and partner Jeff, together with their family, stayed in the comforts of Ronald McDonald House Auckland, making their plight easier due to its close proximity to Starship and their precious little newborn Noah. The House enabled them to rest and be together at night and meal times while being just a short walking distance to the Hospital and Noah.
“I had never heard of Ronald McDonald House before and now I don't want to leave. It would have been really hard on the family with travel and other costs if we didn’t stay here, it’s such a wonderful place” says Teresa.
In early September Jeff and the kids returned to their home in Ruawai. Teresa remained at Ronald McDonald House Auckland while Noah got bigger and stronger and ready to take on his many brothers and sisters! Noah finally returned home in October 2006.
The RMH Auckland Trust funds and governs Ronald McDonald House Auckland (48 rooms), the Ronald McDonald House Family Room (13 short stay critical care rooms) in Starship Hospital and RMHA St Martins (16 offsite apartments). It is a registered community charitable trust comprised of the following partners: Auckland District Health Board, Child Cancer Foundation, Heart Children, The Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland, Ronald McDonald House Charities and 2 community representatives. The House, Family Room and St Martins provide a ‘home away from home’ for over 3,000 families of children with life-threatening illnesses each year. The Trust through its staff and partnerships actively fundraises throughout New Zealand to achieve the $3,000,000 p.a. it needs to run the facilities and support its families. Charity Registration number: CC23591