Donna is the wife of John Reilly, the basketball coach at Gannon University in Erie, Pa. On Friday the 13th in April, they received a call that one of the players had been admitted to the hospital for stroke symptoms. It was especially shocking because Aurimas Truskauskas, 22, was so healthy and able— He had set basketball records while maintaining a 3.92 GPA in international business.

Aurimas was transferred to Buffalo to be treated at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. Since he is from Lithuania and his family still lives there, the Reillys traveled to Buffalo with him. Gannon University made arrangements for the Reillys to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

“What a gift we received!” Donna said. “It was as if we were at Nana’s house. Ellen (the house manager) welcomed us with open arms. What did we need? What could she do? Are we hungry? Did we need directions?

“I immediately felt calm for the first time in days. At a time when life was so full of unknowns, the Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo provided us with constant support, warmth and shelter.”

Donna was introduced to the volunteers and staff.

“It was clear that we were in good hands,” she said.

Soon Aurimas’s mother, Laimute, and brother, Aidas, arrived from Lithuania. Following an emotional reunion with Aurimas, they thankfully checked into the Ronald McDonald House. Now they were just a few blocks from the hospital and were given the support that Donna was receiving.

“It felt good,” Laimute said, with Aurimas acting as translator. “I did not expect the care; I did not expect them to feed us. The people were friendly. It helped out tremendously.”

“I feel good that they were able to be taken care of that way,” Aurimas added. “They were foreign. They had to find shelter somewhere, and they found it at Ronald McDonald House.”

A week after their arrival, Aurimas had surgery. He recovered enough to make it to his graduation. He is now continuing his recovery in Pennsylvania.

Donna wrote a thank you note that goes not only to our staff and volunteers, but to our donors as well:

“On behalf of the Truskauskas Family from Lithuania, a heartfelt thank you for easing the journey we have all been on,” Donna said. “We could not have done it without your help and support. We were safe, sheltered, well fed and supported. Make no mistake, Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo was truly our home away from home. Continue to pursue this vital mission. Keep up the tremendous work!”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 9:28 am and is filed under Family Stories.