Home > Casino News > 6 Oct 2004 Ronald McDonald House(R) Program Celebrates 30 Years
this month marks the 30th anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald
House, which opened its doors on October 15, 1974, to provide
temporary lodging for families with children receiving medical
treatment at nearby hospitals. What began with one House in
Philadelphia, PA, has now expanded, due to the dedication of Ronald
McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and the need of families
worldwide, to 240 House programs in 24 countries. There are
currently 152 Ronald McDonald Houses in the United States.
Approximately 20 new Houses are scheduled to open in 2005
worldwide. The Ronald McDonald House program was developed as the
result of the perseverance of Fred Hill, a former Philadelphia
Eagles football player. After his three-year-old daughter was
diagnosed with leukemia at the local children's hospital and there
was no place to rest except for hospital waiting room chairs, Hill
became determined to help other families faced with the same
situation. Very few institutions at that time provided sufficient
accommodations for such families, and Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric
oncologist at the hospital, suggested that a "home-away-from-home"
was needed. Hill enlisted the help of his teammates and Jim Murray,
then general manager of the Eagles, who worked with the local
McDonald's® restaurant owner/operators to raise funds to purchase
and renovate the first House. "I am so proud to witness the
expansion of the Ronald McDonald House program 30 years later from
when we started. My family and I are so honored to be part of this
celebration, knowing that we helped make a difference in countless
lives," said Fred Hill, co-founder of the first Ronald McDonald
House. "Thanks to the continued support of Ronald McDonald House
Charities, we've turned a dream into a reality for millions of
families and children." Actress, model and mom, Brooke Shields, has
teamed up with Ronald McDonald House Charities to serve as
ambassador. "I recently spent time with children at the Ronald
McDonald House of New York, and was in awe of their courage and
spirit," said Shields. "The Ronald McDonald House truly is a
home-away-from-home for these families. I'm honored to be a part of
such a wonderful Charity. I want to help and let others know how to
get involved." To date, Ronald McDonald Houses have provided more
than 10 million families with temporary residences near medical
facilities where their children are receiving medical treatment for
serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, organ
transplants, neonatal complications, and major accidents. The
Houses provide comfort in difficult times and allow family members
to sleep, eat, relax, find support and simply smile again. In
return, families are asked to make a donation ranging from $5 to
$20 per day, and if that is not possible, their stay is free. More
than 30,000 volunteers help support the Houses worldwide. In
addition to the Ronald McDonald Houses, RMHC programs include the
Ronald McDonald Family Room(TM), the Ronald McDonald Care
Mobile(TM) -- extending the reach of the Charity to directly
improve the health and well-being of children in neighborhoods
around the world. "The programs provided by Ronald McDonald House
Charities are unlike any others, and it is with much pride that we
celebrate 30 years of the Ronald McDonald House program where it
all began," said Ken Barun, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald
House Charities and Senior Vice President, McDonald's Corporation.
"When you look at all the millions of families that have been
touched by Ronald McDonald House Charities, there is no arguing
that there is a strong need for the support RMHC offers to children
and families everywhere."
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