The Anderson Family: Giving Back to the Place That Gave Us So Much

When Kira was born on December 13, her parents, Mandi and Brandon, had only just met her before she was taken to the nursery. At first, doctors assured them she simply needed a little help breathing. But by 4 a.m., they were told she might need to be transferred to another hospital. They hadn’t even had a chance to hold her.

At 6 a.m., they finally saw their daughter again—intubated and surrounded by tubes, ready to be rushed to a hospital in Chicago. With barely any information, Brandon got in the car and drove the 60 miles north alone, while Mandi, still recovering from childbirth, stayed behind. It was the beginning of a terrifying journey.

Doctors diagnosed Kira with meconium aspiration and a Group B Strep infection, both of which caused severe breathing issues. Her condition worsened quickly, and the medical team made a life-saving decision: Kira would need to be placed on ECMO, a form of heart and lung bypass for critically ill infants.

During those first few uncertain days in Chicago, Ronald McDonald House became the family’s lifeline. Arrangements were quickly made for Brandon to stay just minutes from the hospital at the Ronald McDonald House® near UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. Mandi joined him the following day, and together they found more than just a bed near their newborn baby—they found a community of support and comfort.

For the next four weeks, the Ronald McDonald House gave them a space to rest, warm meals to nourish them, and most importantly, the ability to stay close to Kira through every uncertain moment. With home more than 75 miles away, traveling back and forth daily would have been emotionally and financially exhausting. But Ronald McDonald House made it possible for Mandi and Brandon to be there—day and night.

On Christmas Day, more than a week after her birth, they finally got to hold Kira for the very first time. It was a moment they would never forget. Over the coming weeks, Kira steadily improved—transitioning off ECMO, moving into a crib, and finally, breathing on her own. One month after she was rushed away in critical condition, Kira came home.

Giving Back—One Pop Tab at a Time

Their experience at Ronald McDonald House left a lasting mark. Mandi and Brandon were so moved by the care they received that they knew they had to give back. They started collecting pop tabs to support Ronald McDonald House. Through a corporate partnership with United Scrap Metal, the pop tabs are recycled and the proceeds are donated to help keep families close.

What began as a simple thank-you has grown into a heartfelt tradition. Every six months, when the family returns to Chicago for Kira’s follow-up appointments, they bring pounds of tabs collected by friends, family, neighbors, and even local businesses. It’s a small gesture—but one that has big meaning.

And now, one of the sweetest moments comes when Kira, now a thriving little girl, helps carry the pop tabs herself—a full-circle moment that symbolizes strength, gratitude, and the power of community.

For Mandi and Brandon, Ronald McDonald House wasn’t just a place to stay—it’s a symbol of hope and healing. And through every pop tab they collect, they’re helping ensure that other families, in their darkest moments, will find the same comfort and care that carried them through.