KANSAS CITY, Mo. — RaKelle Seeber admits her sister is a bigger fan of the Kansas City Chiefs than herself, but Seeber is thankful for the team in a much different way than most people.
The woman from Moundridge, Kansas, drives three hours to Kansas City, Missouri, at least twice a month to take her sons to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Her two youngest both suffer from microvillus inclusion disease and as a result, their intestines do not properly absorb nutrients. Her youngest, 8-month-old Brixan, requires checkups every two weeks with a team of 11 doctors. Her middle son, 2-year-old Savian, has a team of six doctors who check on him once a month.
When the boys need to be hospitalized, Seeber stays at a Ronald McDonald House for free. Kansas City has three houses on one block on Hospital Hill, less than one mile from the children’s hospital.
“It is a great blessing and I know a lot of other families can agree with me that we’re very thankful to have them around,” Seeber said.
Wednesday, during the team’s Red Friday Kickoff Edition city-wide pep rally event, the Chiefs will sell Chiefs Kingdom Flags at more than 135 McDonald’s restaurants around the region. Money from the sale of those flags goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, so the organization can continue to provide free housing for families like the Seebers.
Fans can purchase flags for a suggested donation of $5. Sales begin at 5 a.m. and last until supplies run out. Flags sold out within hours last year. The team ordered more flags this year in anticipation of high demand.
Over the past three Red Friday pep rallies, the team has raised more than $1.1 million combined for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.
The organization said its goal is to keep families together during difficult times.
Seeber said the staff at the charity have become part of her family.
“I kind of have a close bond with some of those [employees] too, which makes it more like home when I am here,” Seeber admitted. “Which, I am very thankful for as well.”
So from now on, Seeber will be rooting for the Chiefs.
For more information on flag sales, and to buy one online, visit the Chiefs website.
