“American Idol” stars Casey Abrams, a jazz, blues and rock musician, and singer-songwriter Paul McDonald met with seriously ill children staying at Ronald McDonald House on July 13.
Abrams finished sixth and McDonald finished eighth in the latest season of the popular show. Sporting tie-dyed Ronald McDonald House T-shirts, Abrams and McDonald played “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on the piano with the children, performed a little impromptu karaoke, hula hooped and signed autographs. The two stopped by while on the “American Idol” tour.
Abrams, 20, is no stranger to chronic illness requiring hospitalization. He suffers from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease of the colon, and occasionally requires blood transfusions, he has revealed in news reports. He was hospitalized while on “American Idol.”
How wonderful that the families and children served by the Ronald McDonald House and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital got to enjoy some time with the stars of American Idol. Bravo!
What few people know is that the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford is a home away from home for families who live 50+ miles away from the medical care they need to receive from Packard Children’s. Because of the generosity of community donations, families only have to pay $10 a night – and no family is ever turned away for their inability to pay.
We need more “American Idols” to stop by and bring joy to these families, as well as provide donations so that the House can continue to serve without concern for resources.