The Clark Family
The Clark Family
When Roger and Tracy Clark’s 22-year-old daughter, Summer, was driving home on May 5, 2025, their ordinary day took a devastating turn. After losing consciousness behind the wheel, she was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered she had experienced a seizure caused by a frontal lobe brain mass. “I remember being in shock, scared, and trying to hold back the tears,” Tracy shared.
Summer was transferred to Erlanger, where she underwent brain surgery just two days later. The biopsy revealed a Grade 3 glioma, requiring six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. “We live about an hour and a half from Erlanger, so I knew we had to be closer,” Tracy said.
That’s when she was connected with Ronald McDonald House. “The staff were so helpful, kind, and supportive, and that made us feel at home during one of the most difficult times in our family.”
“It was so convenient to walk across the road to her appointments,” Tracy said. “She was also sick from chemo, so being close and not having to face interstate traffic for three hours a day was such a blessing.” The meals, snacks, and support of the staff provided comfort, stability, and relief. “During a season of life when you don’t know what tomorrow holds, your family is your greatest support. Not only did we have our immediate family nearby, we had an extended RMH family that gave their all in helping us make it through.” Summer added, “It wasn’t just a house, it was a home filled with love and understanding. I can honestly say that the Ronald McDonald House helped save my life because it gave me the stability and encouragement I needed to keep fighting.
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.
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.”
