Ronald McDonald House Charity

Have you ever lived separate from your child for days or weeks at a time? How did that feel to you and your child?

What if they were severely ill, would that change your feelings?

That's exactly what happened to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill's daughter in 1974. Kim was diagnosed with Leukemia. You see, pediatric leukemia patients require various

treatments depending on their individual needs. Some of these treatments need to be monitored very closely and can sometimes require long stays in the hospital. These treatments become very difficult - not just for the child, but for their families that do not live near the hospital. Soon after diagnosis, Fred Hill began advocating for a temporary housing option close to the hospital for families to be near their child. Dr. Audrey Evans collaborated, and by the end of the year, the very first Ronald McDonald house was opened.

The charity continued to grow, reaching 10 Ronald McDonald houses in the United States by 1979. Services expanded internationally in the 1980s, providing accommodations and support to 117 programs in 5 countries! In the 1990s, Ronald McDonald House identified

new ways to help families and began offering Family Rooms. This was especially helpful in cases of premature birth, allowing mothers to stay in the same hospital as their child for an extended period of time. New moms were able to provide care, skin-to-skin bonding, and breastfeed to support their child's growth.

With the turn of the century, families showed a need for a program that was more focused on lower-income communities. People were not receiving necessary care, because they simply could not afford it. Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program was introduced to provide essential healthcare, dental care, and health education in communities that would not otherwise have access. Today, Ronald McDonald House Charity continues to innovate and provide support to families across the globe. In 2024, they were up to 1032 programs in 62 countries and regions.

The services provided by Ronald McDonald House go far beyond the house. Ronald McDonald houses are within walking distance from a Children's Hospital, allowing them to be fully present with their child and work closely with hospital care teams. Houses are fully furnished with beds, towels, showers, washers and dryers, meals - everything a family

needs - so they can just be present for their littlest patient. Houses also come fully staffed, so families can focus on helping children heal, not the dirty dishes and laundry. The Ronald McDonald Learning Centre provides programs and services to teens and children with learning or social challenges. They also support patient families, so everyone can learn to work together. Family cabins in Norway provide support for children who have experienced abuse and violence. Children and their safe adults stay in the cabins and learn how to be resilient in everyday life, and how to develop meaningful relationships after trauma.

The continued innovation and growth would not be possible without community support. When you donate time or money to this charity, you are helping to provide snacks in family rooms, build new Ronald McDonald Houses, and ensure healthcare services and support are continued in underserved communities. Whether you fulfill a wish list, host a fundraiser, or donate your change at a McDonald's restaurant, you are helping families through their hardest days. However you choose to make an impact, you are helping alleviate the financial burden of families globally. Your support can make a difference.

Information for this blog was retrieved from Home | Ronald McDonald House