After struggling with gaining weight, behavioral issues, and other illnesses, Addison Karcher underwent a fasting study. This study revealed that Addison could not maintain her own blood sugar for even eight hours. After a follow-up appointment, Addison’s parents – Katie and Shan – were told their seven-year-old daughter had Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD).

This diagnosis sent the family searching for specialists for their sick child, who were only available out of state. Luckily, an amazing team had taken over the GSD program at the Cleveland Clinic, which was only three hours away from them.

Despite its closer distance, the family still had quite a drive to the Cleveland Clinic for Addison’s treatment. That was where the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House came in.

Katie describes the experience at Ronald McDonald House as nothing short of invaluable. For her and her family, having a safe, clean space to stay close to their sick child was a major weight off their shoulders. Addison and her parents enjoyed the meals, snacks, shuttle transportation, free parking, laundry facilities, and most of all, the community of amazing volunteers. Luckily, Addison has experienced less and less complications and reduced her visits to the Cleveland Clinic to just once a year.

Because of their positive experiences with both the Cleveland Clinic and Ronald McDonald House, the Karcher family has since dedicated themselves to pull tab collections. Having recently joined the Morgan Stock Collect-a-Million club, the Karchers are making a difference with every single pull tab they collect – bringing awareness to Ronald McDonald House, providing funds to programming, and setting a chain reaction of other groups wanting to join in. These donations take away financial burdens from families like Addison’s when they need it most.

While Addison’s time at Ronald McDonald House has continued to lessen, her presence and impact is felt every day by her family’s pull tab donations.

We are grateful for every single tab, and every single family able to walk away from their stay wanting to pay it forward.