When Sammy was just 19 weeks in the womb, his parents learned he had Heterotaxy — a rare condition affecting multiple organs, including a severe heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Living in Edmond, Oklahoma, they made the difficult decision to seek specialized cardiac care in Dallas, beginning a journey that would intertwine their family’s story with Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

In August 2016, weeks before Sammy was born, they packed their bags and moved into RMHD so they could remain close to his medical team at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Sammy arrived early at 37 weeks and was immediately transported for critical care. After three weeks inpatient, his parents will never forget bringing him “home” to a crib lovingly decorated inside their Ronald McDonald House room — a bright and comforting moment during an overwhelming time.

Over the next several years, Sammy endured three major open-heart surgeries and eight additional surgeries related to Heterotaxy. 

“Through every procedure and follow-up visit, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas provided more than just a place to stay — it gave our family stability, warmth, and a sense of normalcy, and even made my older son Jack feel like a VIP,” says Dacia Harris.

By 2023, the family believed their chapter at RMHD had closed. Then Sammy went into heart failure and was life-flighted to Dallas. Once again, our House became their home-away-from-home.

After extensive testing revealed Sammy had developed antibodies against nearly 100% of potential donors — making transplant nearly impossible — his Dallas medical team fought for him. Following a successful insurance appeal, Sammy began specialized infusion treatments in Dallas. After nine months, his antibody levels showed enough improvement for him to be listed for a heart transplant in March 2025. Today, at nine years old, Sammy travels to Dallas every other week, continuing treatment while waiting for his miracle.

Despite the uncertainty, Sammy looks forward to his stays at RMHD. Here, he finds friends, activities, and a sense of belonging that allows him to simply be a kid — even while facing a life-threatening condition.

For Sammy’s family, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has been the constant through every high and low — consistently offering at no cost to them, a place of comfort, compassion, and community during crisis. 

And as Sammy continues to bravely hold on for the gift of a new heart, RMHD remains right beside him — keeping his family close to the critical care he needs most.