8-year-old finds healing at Atlanta's new Ronald McDonald House

An 8-year-old who received a bone marrow transplant has stayed at the new Ronald McDonald House in Brookhaven while receiving care; the facility opened in December near Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

BJ is an 8-year-old patient who received a bone marrow transplant last October at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. He was diagnosed in 2019 with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which later led to interstitial lung disease. For more than 75 nights, BJ and his family have stayed at the new Ronald McDonald House Atlanta near the hospital. The house opened in December and offers nearby lodging for families traveling for specialized pediatric care. Key details: - Diagnosis and treatment: BJ was diagnosed in 2019 with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis that progressed to interstitial lung disease, and he underwent a bone marrow transplant in October. - Stays at Ronald McDonald House: The family has stayed more than 75 nights at the new five-story facility in Brookhaven, which expanded about 75% from its previous location and sits steps from the hospital campus. - Facility impact: Ronald McDonald House Atlanta reported providing more than 23,000 nights in 2025 and saving families nearly $9 million in lodging, food, and transportation costs, and its leaders say the house helps families stay close during treatment. Summary: The house has provided lodging and community support during BJ's treatment, and his parents describe improvement in his breathing and activity as signs of recovery. The family is preparing to return home soon, and the expanded Ronald McDonald House increases nearby support for families of children receiving specialized care.