Natasha Martin’s energy and laughter fill the halls of the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplant Wing of the Ronald McDonald House as she runs after her sister, Katara. Natasha, 6, Katara, 2, and mother Margaret have called the Gatewood Ronald McDonald House their “second home” since they arrived in July 2011 after Natasha’s bone marrow transplant.

In 2005, parents Joseph and Margaret proudly welcomed their second child, Natasha, into the world. This joyful day soon brought devastation when they were informed that their baby had sickle cell anemia, a recessive genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.
At first Natasha did not experience serious complications, but in 2008 she caught pneumonia with life threatening symptoms and was hospitalized. Soon Margaret and Natasha found themselves in Atlanta preparing for Natasha to receive a bone marrow transplant at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Thankfully, Natasha’s younger sister, Cayliana, was the perfect match for her transplant.

In May 2011, Natasha and her mother began their journey of hope and healing by traveling from Oklahoma to Atlanta. Margaret spent the next two months at the hospital by Natasha’s side. When she felt well enough, Natasha, her mother and sister, Katara, became guests at the Gatewood Ronald McDonald House.

“Natasha does not have an immune system right now so staying in the transplant suite has given me peace, accelerated her recovery process by protecting her from germs and provided us a safe healing environment where she is able to have fun and feel at home,” said Margaret. “Natasha felt better the day we came to the Ronald McDonald House.”

Margaret, Natasha and Katara look forward to reuniting with the rest of their family in Oklahoma just in time for the holidays.