For Joshua and Leah Patterson of Gadsden, Alabama, repeated ear infections with their one-year-old son, Samuel Jake, led them to seek a second opinion. This time, instead of more antibiotics, the doctor ordered a CT scan. On March 22, 2025, the scan revealed fluid on his brain and a tumor. A biopsy confirmed ependymoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer.
At first, surgery was too dangerous because the tumor was on his brain stem. Chemotherapy began, but after two rounds the tumor continued to grow. “We didn’t have a choice anymore,” Joshua recalled. “They said we had to operate.” In June, surgeons removed 80 percent of the tumor. Recovery was difficult—Samuel Jake spent 22 days on a ventilator and required a tracheostomy—but he has since begun moving his legs. In August, he finished six weeks of radiation, showing a resilience that continues to inspire his family and care team.
Keeping the Family Together
While Joshua and Leah focused on long days at the hospital, the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham became a lifeline. The Pattersons stayed 96 nights, allowing their family to remain close during Samuel Jake’s treatment.
Their seven-year-old daughter, Heavenleigh Faith, spent her entire summer at the House. She joined in on game nights, enjoyed family activities, and found joy in the playroom. The staff and volunteers quickly became role models. “She looks up to Miss Karen, Miss America, and Miss April. She thinks the world of them,” Leah shared.
Leah’s mother, Debbie, was also able to stay at the House, which meant Heavenleigh Faith had support and comfort while her parents spent time at the hospital. “Thank you so much for allowing my mom to come and stay with her, so that me and him could still be there for our son,” Leah said.
More Than a Place to Stay
For the Pattersons, the Ronald McDonald House provided more than a room near the hospital. It lifted daily burdens with hot meals, laundry rooms, and a safe space to rest. Just as importantly, it surrounded them with community during an isolating time.
“You all became family to us,” Joshua said. “Having game nights here and the meals helped take our minds off things. It means a lot to us, because going through this, this place brings us hope. It brings us joy, and it brings us love.”
Gratitude for a Village
The Pattersons know their journey would have been even harder without the Ronald McDonald House. “Without this place and without the donors, a lot of families would really have nothing,” Leah said.
Their story is a powerful reminder of what the Ronald McDonald House makes possible. Families can stay together, siblings can still have a summer filled with laughter, and parents can focus on their child’s healing without worrying about where they will sleep at night.
For the Patterson family, the House was not just a place to stay. It was a community that gave them strength when they needed it most. You can help families like the Pattersons, and donate, volunteer, or share their story to keep families close when it matters most.
