Success Story

ow far would you go to save your child’s life? For the Blondet/Villacorta family from Lima, Peru, the answer is 3,700 miles. This is the distance Miguel, Rosa and their four-year-old son Vicente had to travel upon receiving news that their son, Adrian, would need lifesaving heart surgery following his birth. A pregnancy that began with joy for the Blondet/Villacorta family swirled into a whirlwind of questions and uncertainty.

With knowledge that Adrian’s condition would require the expertise of the best heart surgeons in the world, their doctors referred Adrian to treatment in Cleveland. Still unsure where they could stay, a friend of Miguel’s told them of a welcoming, homelike space at the Ronald McDonald House. There they would find respite and could be close to Adrian’s doctors following his surgery. Uncertainty turned into hope, and they began their journey to Northeast Ohio to welcome Adrian to the family.

Shortly after arriving in Cleveland, Adrian was born and had surgery on his tiny heart. Their hope turned into gratitude for the doctors that saved Adrian’s life, for 181 nights they were taken care of while caring for their new son, and where Vicente felt at home while being the best big brother. At the House, Vicente flourished and made friends with other kids. Together they celebrated birthdays and played outdoors… they could just be kids.

Following their six-month stay in Cleveland, the Blondet/Villacorta family returned home to Peru with Adrian in good health and Vicente the proudest brother. Follow-up care with Adrian’s team of doctors has brought the family back to the Ronald McDonald House four times since 2017 for a total of 228 nights.