CARSON, Calif – Ronald McDonald House Charities were there for A.J. DeLaGarza and his wife, Megan, while their infant son battled for his life last summer at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Now the DeLaGarzas are providing their support to the charity.
DeLaGarza's parents will be accepting donations at RFK Stadium ahead of the LA Galaxy's game Saturday evening against D.C. United (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
Luca DeLaGarza, born with a congenital heart defect, lived only a week and is buried near the DeLaGarzas' hometown in Maryland, and they wanted to do something closer to home to thank Ronald McDonald House, which provides families nearby housing as their children undergo medical treatment, for its help after their son's birth.
“When Luca was born, we stayed in the Ronald McDonald House here in LA, and we know how important it was and how beneficial it was and how much they helped out,” said DeLaGarza, a seventh-year defender with the Galaxy. “Ronald McDonald House is all donation-based, and we think it's a big plus for families.
“You can stay right next to your children for $25 a night. I think it's incredible. I think it's important to help out in our hometown, as well.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities, formed by McDonald's restaurants founder Ray Kroc in 1974, operates in more than 60 countries and territories, according to its website.
The DeLaGarza family will be accepting donations at a tailgate in Lot 8 at RFK Stadium.
