Volunteer Spotlight: How One Teen is Making a Lasting Impact
July 1, 2025
At just 17, Brady is already making a meaningful difference for families facing some of the hardest days of their lives.
At just 17, Brady is already making a meaningful difference for families facing some of the hardest days of their lives.
Chef Torie Hunt brings energy, heart and flavor to the Aurora House. From stirring pots to lifting spirits, she’s all about nourishing both stomachs and souls. When she’s not cooking, you might find her running, traveling or chasing down a slice of white cake with Swiss meringue buttercream.
When Cecilia and Shayne Espinosa learned they were expecting a child, they never imagined the challenges that lay ahead. Living in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, the couple’s world turned upside down when Cecilia’s pregnancy became high-risk, threatening both her and their baby’s health. With Cecilia facing severe kidney issues requiring hours of daily dialysis, the advice the family received from doctors was shockingly candid. But Cecilia knowing in her heart that she wanted the best for her baby — was determined to carry the baby full-term.
When Aaliyah and Ricky found out they were expecting their second child, they had no idea how quickly their world would change. At a routine ultrasound, doctors discovered their baby had a rare congenital heart defect where the heart doesn’t develop properly, causing blood flow issues. Suddenly, they were facing a high-risk pregnancy and an uncertain road ahead.
Four-year-old Tuff is a bright, curious boy born with an extremely rare genetic disorder, HIST1H4C, a diagnosis shared by only 27 people in the world. With just a single published article on this condition, Tuff and his family have faced an uphill journey, figuring things out as they go. His path has been marked by visits to specialists in different states, intensive therapies and countless moments of love and resilience.
When you first meet Cheryl, a long-standing RMHC-Denver volunteer, you’re drawn in by her warm smile and personality. As you get to know her better you see what a sharp sense of humor and huge heart she has. She’s also the person you want nearby when things get busy and stressful.
By all standards, Gigi was a vibrant, playful and adventurous 5-year-old. That changed last February when a persistent infection turned out to be something much more serious. After antibiotics didn’t help, her mom, Jenni, took her to the ER in Rapid City, South Dakota. More tests revealed a diagnosis that would change their lives: Gigi had leukemia. She needed specialized care, so she was life-flighted to Denver, where her battle against leukemia began with a six-week-long stay in the oncology department at a Denver hospital.
Grateful isn’t a strong enough word. That’s what Jeannette, a former guest at our Denver Ronald McDonald House told us recently. For her family, and for so many families, Ronald McDonald House of Denver provided a refuge during an unimaginable storm.
From the moment Hannah Ingraham was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) during a routine ultrasound, her life was set to be a remarkable journey of resilience and courage. HLHS is a severe congenital defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. It was a life-altering discovery that made Hannah’s family face unimaginable choices.
Over 239 days, the Taylor family’s journey, marked by their unborn son’s heart condition, unfolds with resilience and hope at the Aurora Ronald McDonald House. This post captures their remarkable story of love and strength, showcasing the unwavering spirit of a family united in the face of adversity.
Last September, something unimaginable happened to the Goff family. Far away from the rest of the family who live in Powell, Wyoming, 20-year-old Ben was involved in a horrific car accident in Northern Colorado. He suffered extensive injuries to his skull and was immediately airlifted to Swedish hospital in Denver. It all happened so quickly that, by the time his family was notified, Ben was already having surgery. He would remain in a coma for 3-weeks and eventually undergo a skull implant to replace part of his cranium that was damaged during the accident.
Imagine how your outlook would change if, just five months into your pregnancy, you were told that the emergency care needed for your unborn child was 750 miles away. It’s a story that Noah and Judy Scharaga know all too well.
At just 17, Brady is already making a meaningful difference for families facing some of the hardest days of their lives.
Chef Torie Hunt brings energy, heart and flavor to the Aurora House. From stirring pots to lifting spirits, she’s all about nourishing both stomachs and souls. When she’s not cooking, you might find her running, traveling or chasing down a slice of white cake with Swiss meringue buttercream.
When Cecilia and Shayne Espinosa learned they were expecting a child, they never imagined the challenges that lay ahead. Living in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, the couple’s world turned upside down when Cecilia’s pregnancy became high-risk, threatening both her and their baby’s health. With Cecilia facing severe kidney issues requiring hours of daily dialysis, the advice the family received from doctors was shockingly candid. But Cecilia knowing in her heart that she wanted the best for her baby — was determined to carry the baby full-term.
When Aaliyah and Ricky found out they were expecting their second child, they had no idea how quickly their world would change. At a routine ultrasound, doctors discovered their baby had a rare congenital heart defect where the heart doesn’t develop properly, causing blood flow issues. Suddenly, they were facing a high-risk pregnancy and an uncertain road ahead.
Four-year-old Tuff is a bright, curious boy born with an extremely rare genetic disorder, HIST1H4C, a diagnosis shared by only 27 people in the world. With just a single published article on this condition, Tuff and his family have faced an uphill journey, figuring things out as they go. His path has been marked by visits to specialists in different states, intensive therapies and countless moments of love and resilience.
When you first meet Cheryl, a long-standing RMHC-Denver volunteer, you’re drawn in by her warm smile and personality. As you get to know her better you see what a sharp sense of humor and huge heart she has. She’s also the person you want nearby when things get busy and stressful.
By all standards, Gigi was a vibrant, playful and adventurous 5-year-old. That changed last February when a persistent infection turned out to be something much more serious. After antibiotics didn’t help, her mom, Jenni, took her to the ER in Rapid City, South Dakota. More tests revealed a diagnosis that would change their lives: Gigi had leukemia. She needed specialized care, so she was life-flighted to Denver, where her battle against leukemia began with a six-week-long stay in the oncology department at a Denver hospital.
Grateful isn’t a strong enough word. That’s what Jeannette, a former guest at our Denver Ronald McDonald House told us recently. For her family, and for so many families, Ronald McDonald House of Denver provided a refuge during an unimaginable storm.
From the moment Hannah Ingraham was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) during a routine ultrasound, her life was set to be a remarkable journey of resilience and courage. HLHS is a severe congenital defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. It was a life-altering discovery that made Hannah’s family face unimaginable choices.
Over 239 days, the Taylor family’s journey, marked by their unborn son’s heart condition, unfolds with resilience and hope at the Aurora Ronald McDonald House. This post captures their remarkable story of love and strength, showcasing the unwavering spirit of a family united in the face of adversity.
Last September, something unimaginable happened to the Goff family. Far away from the rest of the family who live in Powell, Wyoming, 20-year-old Ben was involved in a horrific car accident in Northern Colorado. He suffered extensive injuries to his skull and was immediately airlifted to Swedish hospital in Denver. It all happened so quickly that, by the time his family was notified, Ben was already having surgery. He would remain in a coma for 3-weeks and eventually undergo a skull implant to replace part of his cranium that was damaged during the accident.
Imagine how your outlook would change if, just five months into your pregnancy, you were told that the emergency care needed for your unborn child was 750 miles away. It’s a story that Noah and Judy Scharaga know all too well.