AUSTIN—Parker Yax smiled as he walked down a hallway in the Ronald McDonald House of Austin and Central Texas, clutching a stack of books with eyes shining. The 6-year-old Lago Vista resident was happy to be able to give back to the place that has been there for him during his battle against brain cancer.
Careening down the hallway behind Parker, Layne Mommsen rolled his brother, Avery, up and down the hall on the dolly they used to help move boxes full of books and DVDs the boys collected to donate to the home away from home.
The Ronald McDonald house is a place for children and their families to stay and play together while a family member receives treatment at the Dell Children’s Hospital in North Austin. The house stays open due to families like the Mommsens, who decided to help.
“It was all my idea,” Layne said proudly. Lane and Avery both attend Lago Vista Elementary School in the third grade and kindergarten, respectively.
Both boys have known Parker their entire lives.
Parker’s mother, Sandra Dolch, grew up with Layne and Avery’s mother, Denise Mommsen. In February 2009, doctors diagnosed Parker with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor that occurs in children. For 10 days following the diagnosis, Parker stayed at the Ronald McDonald House before doctors removed the tumor, which was about the size of a golf ball.
The surgery was considered a complete success, but Parker was prescribed 55 weeks of chemotherapy following the surgery.
“Parker’s name through this whole deal has been Superman,” Denise said.
The Mommsens began collecting aluminum can tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, and Lago Vista Elementary School collects tabs as well. But Layne wanted to do more.
“He had brought up the idea that he wanted to do something for the Ronald McDonald House in Parker’s name and it kind of turned into the kids’ thing—collecting CDs and DVDs,” Dolch said. “It wasn’t Denise’s idea or mine, it was the kids’. I thought that was extra special.”
Children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House often take home their favorite books and DVDs from the facility, meaning the Ronald McDonald House always needs more to replenish its reading nook. Through collections in December at LVES, Latte Vista and the North Shore Playgroup, along with other individuals sending in donations, the book and DVD drive brought in 620 books, 80 DVDs and various other CDs and items to entertain the children staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
Each item collected in the drive has a sticker on it with the Superman logo and a note signifying a donation in Parker’s name.
“It’s something to make him feel good that he’s giving back and he’s helping other kids because he’s been the recipient,” Denise said.
Parker also took part in the Livestrong Challenge, crossing the finish line with the help of friends and his mother who wore a shirt that read, “My son is my hero.”
Friends of Dolch and Parker have opened an account at Bank of America to help the family pay for healthcare, which would be a struggle for most families anyway despite how Parker’s stepdad was laid off just before his diagnosis. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch under Parker Yax.
For more information on the Ronald McDonald House of Austin, visit www.rmhc-austin.org.