28 Jun Support for the Ronald McDonald Family Room Comes Full Circle

Jennifer Mire, an eighth-grade teacher at Dickerson Middle School, values giving back to help others in need. A dedicated volunteer for Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, she never imagined experiencing these efforts firsthand.

Jennifer Mire, an eighth-grade teacher, and Luc, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald Family Room before his cancer diagnosis during COVID-19.

Her son, Luc, a rising junior at Lassiter High School, was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Scottish Rite has become her home away from home as she helps Luc through his treatment at the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at Scottish Rite.

Jennifer was familiar with the Family Room but never had the opportunity to visit. The day of Luc’s diagnosis, Jennifer was walking down the hall when she saw the Family Room.

“She sent me a picture of the room letting me know of his diagnosis and pointed out that our partnership had come full circle,” says Sunny Williams, one of our dedicated volunteers and a fifth-grade teacher at Dickerson Middle School.

“It was surreal,” Jennifer says. “…seeing the efforts we made as a school come back to me when I desperately needed it. The sign alone was a comfort I didn’t know I needed.”

Williams organized a ‘Stock the Shelves” event at Dickerson to support Luc and his family. “When she sent me pictures and updates about their progress, I was overwhelmed with the turnout,” Jennifer says, adding it didn’t surprise her that Sunny organized the drive because she always cares for others.

The impact of the Family Room has increasingly grown for Jennifer and her family. She now realizes how much more it has been than just providing drinks and snacks for families.

COVID-19 safety protocols necessitate the roping off of seating areas, but Jennifer still enjoys the view as she is waiting on the microwave or the coffee pot. She looks forward to the room being fully opened so she can enjoy time sitting, enjoying the view, meditating, or chatting with other families who are going through similar experiences.

“The support we have received has been such a bright spot for Luc and all of our family,” Jennifer says. “I truly believe his mental well-being has been positively impacted knowing the support he has behind him.”