"Today, I was told that my three-year-old daughter has lymphoma. It is 10:00 p.m....my heart feels like someone has blown a hole through it.  My stomach feels like it has been tied into knots and set on fire. My eyes hurt from crying and my mind is tired from thinking...I am glad we are not in a motel tonight.  It really helped me to be with other families here at the Ronald McDonald House.  I feel very comfortable and very welcomed here.  I know in days to come, this is where I will be, and I am very grateful..."*

                                                           * From a diary in the Ronald McDonald House

Ronald Mc Donald Houses provide "a home away from home" to children and their families while undergoing medical treatment for serious illnesses at nearby hospitals.

Our Story:
When we went to Philadelphia for Grant's first of 3 open heart surgeries in January of 1997, we had no idea where we were going to stay or how we were going to afford it.  We were scared and completely unsure about the future, all we knew was that our baby, whom we loved more than anything, was sick and without surgery he would die.  When we got to the hospital the social worker gave us the number to the local Ronald McDonald House and had us call for a room.  All I can say is, "Thank goodness she did!!!!".  The House is the most amazing place I have ever been and without it I don't know what we would have done.  For a small fee everynight we got a warm bed, a hot meal (most nights provided free of charge by local families donating the food and their time) and most importantly the support of other parents who are going through the same thing.  The feeling of support and understanding was amazing.  I actually met another family whose son had been through heart surgery and they explained how things went and let me see their son's scar.  It really eased my mind and made things seem better.  I wish I could put into words how much the support, understanding, love and generosity we received at the Ronald McDonald House meant to us.  This truely is "The House that Love Built!!!!!!!!!"

Pictures of us at the Ronald McDonald House
 

History:
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974 (this is where we stayed when Grant was in the hospital.) Fred and Fran Hill's daughter Kim was undergoing treatment for leukemia.  During Kim's three years of treatment, the Hills grew tired of sleeping in the hospital waiting room and eating meals out of vending machines.
Fred, who was a player for the Philadelphia Eagles at the time, rallied the support of his teammates and General Manager Jim Murray; Dr. Audrey Evans from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; and local McDonald's franchisees to create Ronald McDonald House.  Nearly 25 years later, there are now 197 Ronald McDonald Houses in 16 countries.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides each House expansion and emergency grants, as well as some goods and services.  However, each House relies on the people and businesses in its own community to provide additional funds, goods and services necessary for operations.

The Houses are supported by nearly 20,000 volunteers who donate one million hours of their time annually. Families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses are asked to make a donation ranging from $5 to $20 per day; if that is not possible, their stay is free.
 

How You Can Help:
Pop Tab Collection Program - a terrific way to get involved and make a genuine contribution to Ronald McDonald House.

Be a Ronald McDonald House Voluteer: this link lists several ways you can volunteer, including preparing meals, answering phones, donating items that are needed, and many more,  along with the volunteer application.  All of these can be done at your local RMH, see the links below to find one near you.

Donate a meal to your local house.  This is probably appreciated most by the families who are tired of eating out of vending machines, hosptial cafeterias and fast food restaraunts.  It is always nice to have a warm "homecooked" meal.  This is very easy to do and one of the best ways to help.  Call your local house for details.

For more information you can write RMHC's at:
                  Ronald McDonald House Charities
                       1 Kroc Drive
                       Oak Brook, IL 60523
Or Call at:
                       (630)623-7048

Donate a meal to your local house.  The families who are tired of eating out of vending machines, hosptial cafeterias and fast food restaraunts probably appreciate this more than anything else.  It is always nice to have a warm "homecooked" meal.  This is very easy to do and one of the best ways to help.  Call your local house for details.

Links to Houses Around the World:
RMH's in the United States
International Houses