Valeria's Story

Ruben and Diana Rico Paniagua are thankful that the Ronald McDonald House provided them with a comfortable, safe and warm place to stay during the birth of their daughter, Valeria. The family spent six weeks at the Ronald McDonald House.

Valeria was born prematurely at 30 weeks, weighing just 2 pounds, 10 ounces on October 5, 2008. Immediately after her birth, she was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. While Valeria remained in the hospital, her parents Diana and Ruben were able to stay directly across the street at the Ronald McDonald House.

“We were able to solely focus on what was important to us, our baby’s health.  The support of the staff and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House was great.  We are thankful for their generosity because they made us feel at home,” says Ruben Paniagua

Each year, Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” for an average of 600 families of critically ill and injured children while they are receiving medical treatment at Chattanooga area hospitals. 

Families say the proximity of the Ronald McDonald House to the hospital makes it easier for them to spend more time with their child while they recover. The Rico-Paniaguas say that was critical for them since they live 45 minutes away from Chattanooga.  The couple owns and operates a used automobile dealership in Dalton.

“That experience when we get to hold her and she smiles, it’s a feeling that you can’t describe. If it wasn’t for the help that the Ronald McDonald House gave us, we wouldn’t be able to have those moments with our daughter,” says Diana Rico Paniagua.