In the frantic days after learning that 3-year-old Benjamin Rohen-Trapp had cancer, his family barely had any time to think about food and shelter.
In Phoenix at St. Joseph's Hospital in January, Benjamin underwent surgery as doctors scrambled to diagnose the cancer and come up with a treatment.
Benjamin's Tucson family wasn't thinking about finding a hotel or grabbing a meal — their primary focus was Benjamin.
By the time they realized they needed a place to stay, it was too late — hotels across Phoenix were booked for a busy winter tourism season.
That's when hospital nurses and workers with Ronald McDonald House Charities stepped in and gave the family a place to stay and food to eat. The foundation, which provides homes and support for families of ill children, took Benjamin's grandparents and aunt in for four nights while his parents stayed by his side. "They opened up their doors to us," said Jack Trapp, Benjamin's grandfather. "They couldn't do enough for us."
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Benjamin succumbed to the cancer a month later, a few months shy of his fourth birthday. To honor Benjamin's life and help the charity that gave their family shelter, his parents, Noelle Rohen and Kevin Trapp, are seeking donations needed by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona.
The Northwest Side couple plan to deliver the donations on Monday — Benjamin's birthday. "It's an amazing program," said Trapp. "Every day they're helping people, all the time."
The family is asking for everything from household supplies such as paper towels to board games and juice boxes.
Ronald McDonald House, at 2230 E. Speedway near University Medical Center, will use the donations so that other families won't have to worry about cooking or finding a place to sleep. In addition to providing housing, the charity also has rooms set up in hospitals for families to watch TV, read and rest.
The house provides hot meals daily, and even if guests miss dinner, the kitchen is available 24 hours a day, Jack Trapp said.
And all it took to stay at the house was a short interview and a $10 refundable deposit. "Every time you talked to people at the desk they were willing to do anything for us," he said.
The family wanted to give back while remembering their child for the active, adventurous young boy he was, Kevin Trapp said.
"We want to get a message to not take life for granted," he said. "Enjoy your kids while they're around and live in the moment."
How to donate
Donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides a home and meals to families of hospitalized children, will be accepted through Aug. 4.
Supplies can be dropped off at any Northwest Fire/Rescue District station or any Town of Marana building. Donors also can contact Kevin Trapp at kjtrapp2001@yahoo.com to arrange a pickup.
People also can donate on Aug. 4 at the Marana Middle School, 11279 W. Grier Road.
Charity wish list
Besides operating homes for families of ill children, Ronald McDonald House has rooms in hospitals where families can watch TV, surf the Internet and rest. The group is in constant need of donations to help families of sick children. Here are some of the items they're looking for:
• Household items: Paper towels, laundry detergent and trash bags.
• Kitchen items: Flatware, pots and pans and knives.
• Pantry items: Milk, bread, microwave popcorn and juice boxes.
• Personal items: Razors, toothbrushes and diapers.
• Furniture: TVs, portable fans and lamps.
• Baby equipment: Strollers, swings and car seats.
• Toys and fun: Board games, arts and crafts supplies and balloons.
• Gift cards: Restaurant cards, grocery gift certificates and calling cards.
For a complete wish list, visit www.benjaminsbugs.com
