Mission Moment: The Runyon Family

We are honored to highlight the Runyon family at this year’s Wine, Women & Shoes event May 11, 2023.


We will be showcasing a special video about this family the night of the event. In the mean time, please read on to learn about their story and how Ronald McDonald House has been a part of it.



Paige and Brian Runyon directly understand the impact of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga from the numerous times they needed to call RMHC their home away from home. Almost six years ago when their twins Wallace and Whitleigh were born, both babies needed immediate attention in the NICU. Wallace was able to leave the NICU after one week, but the odds were not the same for Whitleigh.


48 hours after Whitleigh was born, she underwent her first surgery of what would be one of fourteen by the age of five. When Paige was pregnant with the twins, she got news that baby Whitleigh only developed one kidney. With that being devastating news in itself, the Runyons were hit with more severe news the day the twins were born.


Whitleigh was diagnosed with VACTERL association, a condition that for her involves vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, and renal anomalies. The doctors told Paige and Brian that Whitleigh was unable to properly process food and would not be able to walk or use her voice.


Now almost six years old, Whitleigh not only walks and speaks, but she does cartwheels (one-handed ones too) and sings any chances she gets. She also loves snacking on Cheetos. She may have more procedures left, but you’d never know how many obstacles she’s overcome by the brightest smile and biggest personality to walk in any room.


The Runyon’s live an hour away from Erlanger Hospital. With the many surgeries and checkups in Whitleigh’s life, Paige and Brian found a space that takes care of them while their baby girl is getting better across the street. This is what the Ronald McDonald House is and will always be about, keeping families near their child when they need them most!

The Johnson Family

By Izabelle Bradley • January 27, 2026
After giving birth at eight months and undergoing an emergency C-section, Toni Ann Johnson learned her son, Azari-Asher, would need to stay in the NICU. With limited mobility, her team at Erlanger referred her to Ronald McDonald House so she could remain close while recovering. “I stayed for almost three weeks and it was the best experience having gone through that painful ordeal,” Toni Ann said. “I remember how safe and welcoming the environment was and the staff was always there to greet us with a smile or give us extra treats.” Having a place so close to the hospital gave her comfort during a difficult time. “The biggest help was the convenience of it all being so close and not feeling lost or like you’re going through it alone,” she shared. “The whole experience was such a blessing and memorable; it meant the world to me just to be able to talk and share laughs with the staff and other families there,” Toni Ann said. “Not having to think about anything apart from rest and your baby was the ultimate gift and we are forever grateful to RMHC.” Today, both Toni Ann and Azari-Asher are healthy and thriving.

The House’s First Guest

By Izabelle Bradley • January 13, 2026
In mid-October 1990, four-year-old Daniel Bailer became very sick with pneumonia and was admitted to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. What began as a hospital stay quickly became a long and uncertain time for his family. Daniel spent nearly 50 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and about 70 days total in the hospital. At the time, the Bailer family lived in Dalton, about a 45-minute drive away. Renee stayed in Chattanooga during the week while her husband continued working. Each night, she slept in the PICU waiting room, resting in chairs and using a public restroom to shower. Most of her time was spent just outside Daniel’s room. During their stay, Daniel’s health quickly became extremely critical. He was placed on a ventilator, taken off, then put back on again and later required a tracheostomy due to recurring pneumonia, which extended his stay even longer. During that time, Renee relied heavily on the nurses and doctors caring for her son. “The nurses and doctors became my lifeline,” Renee said. “They knew I was sleeping in the waiting room chairs every night.” About a week before the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga officially opened, founding director Jane Kaylor and hospital staff approached Renee and asked if she would like to stay at the House. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Renee said. “They told me I could come over and sleep in a real bed, and I said, ‘ Take me!’ It was like a godsend.” Renee was hesitant at first to leave the hospital, even briefly, but staff reassured her she was in good hands and Daniel was only steps away. She was given a pager in case Daniel needed her and knew security could get in contact if anything happened overnight. She agreed and became the first guest to ever stay at the House. Renee stayed for about a week in a handicap-accessible room with a private bathroom, shower, and bed. For the first time in weeks, she was able to rest. “The peace and quiet were incredible,” she recalled. “I’d been surrounded by people and hospital noise for weeks. To sit on a couch, to breathe, to feel cared for—it was life-changing.” Today, Daniel is 39 years old. He is wheelchair-bound but healthy and works as a sculptor and artist, creating and selling his artwork. “It was like angels sent me there,” Renee said. “That place gave me rest when I didn’t know how I was going to keep going. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”