05/03/2026
Last but certainly not least, we are honored to introduce our third and final honorary family for this year’s Fall Fest — Kohen and his incredible family!
Parents: Brandon Puorro & Brooke Leonard
For 199 days, Ronald McDonald House Charities became more than just a place to stay — it became their home.
When Kohen was born, everything changed in an instant. What was expected to be a normal beginning quickly turned into a fight no one could have prepared for. Kohen entered this world already facing challenges, born missing his corpus callosum — something that would shape so much of his journey ahead. From the very beginning, his path looked different.
Not long after, his family faced one of the most terrifying moments of their lives when Kohen developed NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis). Watching your baby fight something so serious is unimaginable. Because of the damage NEC caused, his body hasn’t been able to tolerate feeds the way it should, which is why he relies on TPN to receive the nutrition he needs to grow.
But Kohen wasn’t done showing just how strong he is.
He also struggled with significant airway issues, making it difficult for him to breathe safely on his own. After everything he had already endured, his family made another life-changing decision — a tracheostomy. It wasn’t easy, but it gave Kohen the support he needed to breathe, to be stable, and to keep fighting.
Lines, machines, feeds, medications — these became part of everyday life. Things that once felt overwhelming became routine. But behind every tube and monitor is a little boy who has fought harder than most ever will.
And through it all, Kohen continues to show everyone what true strength looks like.
He has taught his family to slow down in a world that moves too fast. To celebrate the smallest victories — a reaction, a moment of calm, a sign of progress. He has changed the way they see everything.
Those 199 days at Ronald McDonald House were some of the hardest — but also the most meaningful. It gave them a place to stay close to Kohen when they couldn’t be home, support when they felt alone, and a community when they needed it most.
They walked those halls exhausted, scared, and uncertain — but also with hope, strength, and unwavering love.
Brandon, Brooke, Kash, and Kohen have been forever changed by this journey. It hasn’t been easy, and it still isn’t. But they’ve shown that strength doesn’t always look loud — sometimes it’s simply showing up every single day and holding on, even when the future feels uncertain.
Kohen is a fighter. A miracle. A reminder that even in the hardest moments, there is still so much love, purpose, and gratitude.
✨ Fun fact: Kohen was neighbors in the NICU with Family #1’s sweet little Scottie 💕 — such a special connection that makes this story even more meaningful.
Join us this fall as we come together to support this amazing family and celebrate the strength of our entire community. 🍂
📅 October 17th, 2026
📍 Collins Creekside- 6842 N swift Rd, Angelica NY 14709
🎟 $5 entry — all proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald House
