The Sickora Family

Kate Sickora was hospitalized on bed rest for nine weeks when she was pregnant with triplets. At 27 weeks gestation, Kate went into labor and, due to the high-risk of her pregnancy, was rushed from her local hospital in Binghamton, N.Y., to Crouse Hospital in Syracuse to deliver triplets.

The babies, George, Marlene and Virginia, were born 13 weeks early on Feb. 5, 2010. All three were incubated and had to learn how to breathe and eat on their own. They required a long period of hospitalization and remained in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Crouse Hospital for nine weeks.

During that time, Kate stayed at the Central New York Ronald McDonald House so that she could be close to her newborns in the hospital. Kate’s husband, Brian, stayed with her on the weekends when he was not working in Binghamton. Her parents came from Texas to stay with her at the House during this difficult time.

Following a two-month stay in Syracuse, the Sickora triplets were transferred to United Health Services (UHS) Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. After receiving an additional week of care, George and Marlene were released to go home. Virginia stayed in the hospital for four more weeks.

Kate remembers entering the CNY Ronald McDonald House with her husband after her babies were born and thinking that it was the first time in a while that something was going their way.

“The Ronald McDonald House was like a giant hug, at a time in my life when I needed it most,” said Kate Sickora.

The Sickoras are eternally grateful for the services that the CNY Ronald McDonald House provided them during their most difficult time. In return, the Sickoras showed their support for the organization through their involvement in the Capital Project to build a new, larger handicap accessible Ronald McDonald House. In addition, Brian Sickora served on the board of directors in 2011-2014.