John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are one of the many families who have experienced heartbreak this year.
John and Chrissy are still getting through the pain of losing their third child. They're taking it day by day. The couple keeps it all in perspective, acknowledging that so many people have been through far worse.
That perspective makes helping others a priority for John and Chrissy. This holiday season, they've found a way to give back to people who need it the most. John and Chrissy are partnering with McDonald's to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The initiative comes in the form of a social media challenge, which is perfect for the outgoing family who are seriously beloved across social media. Those wishing to participate simply have to snap a picture that includes an RMHC heart and the hashtag #HereForRMHC. You can post the photo on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook. For each photo posted, McDonald’s will donate $100.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have been through an incrediblly difficult few months. It's been less than two months since the couple experienced the painful loss of their third child, baby Jack. Chrissy was just 20 weeks along and had just shared the news publicly weeks prior.
The heartbreaking experience has brought John and Chrissy closer together. As they explained during an appearance on Good Morning America, they allow themselves to process the pain the way they need to.
"I definitely give myself permission to have complete and utter grief," Chrissy said.
"Every day is so different, so when people ask me how I'm doing, I say, 'I'm OK today.'"
John also revealed that it's been a learning experience to share something so personal with so many people.
"I didn't know that we could experience this grief and also share it but when we did, it really meant so much to so many people," John noted.
"It was such a powerful experience for me to learn that. I'm just grateful that my wife was courageous enough to do it."
"I have thousands of letters written to me," Chrissy shared.
"Obviously it's so painful to go through something like this as a woman, something that was inside your body that you were nurturing and taking care of. But obviously there's a father involved, and the support for both of us has been so beautiful and so incredible."
John and Chrissy also spoke to their decision to share the intimate photos from their pregnancy loss. They did it primarily for themselves but shared them for the many other families who go through the same thing and feel isolated in that experience.
"I don't care if you were offended or disgusted. I understand it can be that way for people. It's designed for the people that were hurting. John was very uncomfortable taking them," Chrissy said.
"She felt like really one of the ways we would carry on Jack's memory was to take pictures of that moment," John explained.
"I was worried, like I didn't want to commemorate that pain, but the crazy thing about having a miscarriage is you don't walk away with anything. You have this emptiness. We wanted to take the photos so we had something to remember him by."
John and Chrissy acknowledged how much the support they received meant to them, especially during this time when people are struggling to feel connected.
"This has been a lonely time for so many people because we're all separated physically in so many ways. Just the outpouring of people's love and concern for us has been heartening and lifting for us," John said.
"The world is inherently good. I believe people are inherently good. It's shown itself and as hard as it was, it is beautiful to see this side of it," Chrissy added.
Going through something so awful has strengthened their already strong relationship.
"I just know that I love my wife more than ever. We've been through so many challenges together and they've made us stronger. I know that doesn't always happen when people go through tragedy," John said.
"I feel like the challenges we've faced together have made us feel even more sure about who we are together as a couple and who we are as a family and that when we commit to be together forever that we really hold that promise to heart and we take it seriously. I feel like we're stronger together than we've ever been."
Spending time at home with 2-year-old Miles and 4-year-old Luna has also helped the couple tremendously.
"They bring us so much joy every single day and so much adventure every day," John said.
"We've always loved a very lively household," Chrissy added.
"It might be more lively than ever these days. I don't know, you don't want to be stuck in bed when you hear the laughter downstairs. It helps so much."
Chrissy and John now want to give back some of that support they've received. They're teaming up with McDonald's for a new social fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
"As long as you care for children, there's nothing else that you can do aside from being part of this initiative," Chrissy said of the partnership.
"This is bipartisan. Loving your children, wanting the best for your children, and wanting to keep families together for us is insanely important."
"You know you've seen this year, with COVID especially, that people need their families close to them when they're going through an illness. A lot of families can't afford to be there," John noted.
"What they're doing is so incredible and so beautiful and honestly, this is probably one of the most proud things I've been a part of."
The social media initiative encourages people to post a photo on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook that includes an RMHC heart and the hashtag #HereForRMHC. McDonald's will donate $100 for every photo posted.
"McDonald's is committing $100 million over the next 5 years to Ronald McDonald House Charities. We want to involve everyone in that. McDonald's is going to donate the money, but if you want to participate and have $100 donated in your name, you can hashtag #RHMC," John shared.
"Anyone who knows us, knows that the most important thing to us is family. When you're able to lean on loved ones, the hard times always get a little easier," Chrissy and John said in a statement announcing the initiative.
"We can't imagine how agonizing it must be when you're not able to be there with your sick child. We were inspired by McDonald's longtime commitment to RMHC, and now we want the world to know how we can all take action to support this amazing charity through the #HereForRMHC challenge."
