In January 2005, 4 ½ year old, Carlo Santiago was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive solid tumor cancer of the nervous system.  The Santiago family travelled more than 12 hours from their home in Hong Kong to get medical treatment for their son at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.  With the medical challenge ahead of them, plus the adjustment they needed to make in a new area, Sam and Toni Santiago needed a warm and supportive place to stay where they could be close to their son while he underwent treatment at the hospital.  They found that “home away from home” at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House (LARMH).  Since then, Carlo has gone through chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and clinical trials to treat his cancer.  And after two years of treatment, Carlo has bounced back to being the energetic, bubbly and smart young boy he had always been.  He was well enough to return to Hong Kong and go back to school.  However, in early December 2007, when the family flew to Los Angeles for Carlo’s routine quarterly scans, the results revealed a relapse.  Instead of being able to spend Christmas in Hong Kong, they now needed to remain in Los Angeles for six months to complete a new course of treatment.  Since this was unexpected the family needed to quickly find a place to stay.  Once again, LARMH provided a familiar home for them.  Though his dad had to go back to work in Hong Kong, Carlo and his mom made the House their home.  He enjoys the time he spends at the House while he continues to respond well to his new medication and treatment.  His favorite times at LARMH are movie nights, happy meals and meeting celebrities.

It is in realizing how important it is for families with seriously ill children treated in the area hospitals to have a place to stay that would feel like home, that the Santiagos decided to give back. With the help of family and friends, they are raising funds to sponsor a family room at the Ronald McDonald House to be named Carlo’s Room, in honor of their son Carlo and his courageous fight against what he calls, the bad cells of cancer. The Cub Scout of America Pack 1 from Hong Kong, Carlo’s cub scout group, had sent the seed money for Carlo’s Room, and proceeds of a fund raising Carnival organized by his second grade class at the Hong Kong International School, have also gone towards this fund.

Very recently, Carlo’s grandma passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. Her family would like to honor her by requesting friends and family to make a donation to sponsor Carlo’s Room, in memory of Gaudencia Santiago, Carlo’s grandma. Everyone’s generosity will go a long way in assuring a family in need a place to stay that they can call a’ home away from home’.