A Place to Call Home

Five years ago, 12-year-old Maggie Golden began experiencing serious health issues. She was falling asleep at school and barely had enough energy to walk up the stairs of her home; her thigh and calf muscles frequently hurt.

Standard blood tests looked normal, but as symptoms grew worse, her parents persisted in their search for answers. On a visit to her local Arkansas pediatrician, Maggie’s heart rate measured 50 beats per minute. A subsequent EKG showed a blockage and an echocardiogram gave them a rare and serious diagnosis: Ebstein’s anomaly, a condition where the heart’s tricuspid valve isn’t formed properly.

Maggie needed immediate expert care and her family turned to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s top-ranked Heart Institute. Being hundreds of miles from home, Maggie’s family was concerned about where they would stay in Memphis. Luckily, the Heart Institute team referred them to FedExFamilyHouse — free and convenient lodging located across from the hospital.

Following testing, Dr. Christopher Knott-Craig determined Maggie would need immediate surgery.

Thanks to FedExFamilyHouse, Maggie’s family could focus their attention on caring for her and not worry about lodging. They came “home” from each day at the hospital to a smiling face at the FedExFamilyHouse front desk.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are,” Maggie’s mom Heather Corporon said. “Without surgery, Maggie would have died in her sleep. Le Bonheur saved Maggie’s life and FedExFamilyHouse was there
when we needed it most — during the scariest time of our lives.” 

Since their initial visit, Maggie has had countless appointments at Le Bonheur, staying at FedExFamilyHouse each time. They even spent the holidays at FedExFamilyHouse one year when Maggie was sick and in the hospital.

“As a parent when your child is very sick and hospitalized, you aren’t thinking of how to celebrate the holiday or make the day special,” Heather said. “A few days prior to Thanksgiving, FedExFamilyHouse staff reached out to coordinate a meal and offered to bring it over in a box to the hospital if needed. We came
downstairs to the House’s lobby and found tables set with music playing. We felt special despite being far from home for the holidays. Staff and volunteers worked hard to make it feel like a meal you would have at home.”

"Words cannot express how grateful we are. Without surgery, Maggie would have died in her sleep. Le Bonheur saved Maggie’s life and FedExFamilyHouse was there when we needed it most — during the scariest time of our lives."

Thanks to your support, Maggie’s family knows they can count on FedExFamilyHouse to provide comfortable lodging and a hot meal every time they come to Le Bonheur Children’s for expert care.

A Critical Resource

Since opening its doors in 2011, more than 260,000 family members have stayed at FedExFamilyHouse. As Le Bonheur’s programs of excellence have risen to national prominence, FedExFamilyHouse has played a crucial role by providing free housing and lodging in close proximity to the hospital.

Families travel from all over the country, and even the world, to receive expert care they can only get at Le Bonheur. Yet lodging often serves as a barrier for families seeking treatment far from home and FedExFamilyHouse is a critical resource for many.

Le Bonheur’s social work team helps educate families about FedExFamilyHouse and refers families who live more than 50 miles from the hospital.

“FedexFamilyHouse affords families the opportunity to remain close to the hospital,” Le Bonheur social worker LaShonda Oliver said. “Parents often ask me, ‘but what if I am not there and an emergency happens?’ Luckily staying at FedExFamilyHouse allows parents to be close to the hospital and be at their child’s bedside in minutes.”

Le Bonheur Children’s Outpatient Clinic social worker Terri Knowlton-Richards refers about 80 families a month to FedExFamilyHouse.

"Without FedExFamilyHouse, some families would not be able to come to Le Bonheur for care. Paying for a hotel, even with a hospital discount, is not possible for many families. When I explain to them that they can stay at FedExFamilyHouse free of charge, they are relieved and grateful."

“Without FedExFamilyHouse, some families would not be able to come to Le Bonheur for care,” Knowlton-Richards said. “Paying for a hotel, even with a hospital discount, is not possible financially for many families. When I explain to them that they can stay at FedExFamilyHouse free of charge, they are relieved and grateful.”

Your support of FedExFamilyHouse allows families like Maggie’s to focus on helping their child heal at Le Bonheur Children’s and not worry about lodging or meals.