Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Audrey Evans, pediatric oncologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, had long seen the weary parents of the young patients she was treating. She knew that if there were a safe, home-like setting for these parents to live while their children received medical treatment, the entire family would benefit. The parents would be better rested and less stressed; and, the children would have the comfort of knowing their parents were near by.

When his daughter, Kim, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Fred Hill, former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles, experienced first-hand the difficulties a family experiences when a child is critically ill. Hill approached the Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray about raising funds to support the medical efforts for critically ill children. The funds raised were presented to Dr. Audrey Evans, to be used for an air filtration system in the new oncology wing at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. But Dr. Evan asked Jimmy Murray for something more. She shared with him her vision of a "home away from home" for the parents of these critically children. When Jimmy Murray approached the McDonald's ad agency in the Philadelphia, a beautiful partnership was born. Through the sale of Shamrock Shakes, McDonald's and the Philadelphia Eagles raised funds necessary to purchase a beautiful historic mansion on Chestnut Street in downtown Philadelphia. This House became the world's first Ronald McDonald House. Today, there are nearly 300 Ronald McDonald Houses in 52 countries around the world.

Each Ronald McDonald House is an independent not-for-profit organization, governed solely by a local board of trustees. While McDonald's continues to be a strong supporter, each House's board and staff have the responsibility for raising the majority of the required operating expenses.

When a child becomes seriously ill, the first concern is always for the child's well being. Seeking medical treatment is primary. Secondly, the family must have a place to live while the child is hospitalized or receiving out-patient treatments. Before Ronald McDonald House, out-of-town families had to endure the discomfort of sleeping in the child's hospital room or take on the incredible expense and isolation of staying in a hotel. To alleviate the financial burdens and stress involved in having a critically ill child, Ronald McDonald House offers families:

• A comfortable place to sleep; a private bedroom and bathroom
• Home-cooked meals
• Laundry and play rooms
• Shared living areas
• Computers with internet access
• Ongoing support from staff, volunteers and other families in similar circumstances
• Exercise and game rooms
• Outdoor play area
• Activities, such as games, crafts and theme parties

No, many times, the entire family, including the critically ill child, lives at the House. The medical world has undergone major changes since Cincinnati's original Ronald McDonald House opened in 1982. Managed care has resulted in earlier hospital discharges. It is quite common for a child, once discharged, to require continued out-patient treatment. It is during these times that the child and his or her entire family (up to 6 in our larger rooms) may remain at Ronald McDonald House until all medical treatments have concluded and the child is well enough to return home.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is world-renowned for their highly specialized medical experts. As a result, families from around the globe come to Cincinnati seeking life-saving medical treatment for their children. The five most common medical conditions for which families live at Ronald McDonald House are:

1. Trachea Procedures / Airway Reconstruction
2. Colorectal Procedures
3. Hematology / Oncology / Bone Marrow Transplant
4. Liver Transplant / Gastroenterology
5. Cardiothoracic Surgery / Cardiology

Cincinnati's Ronald McDonald House depends greatly upon volunteers to care for our guest families. We currently have more than 400 active volunteers who donate their time and talents to our House. Our House operations consist of three shifts each day 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. At least six volunteers help cover each shift. Group volunteers also help by catering meals, leading family activities and performing special projects. Please visit our Volunteer page.

While McDonald's is a partner in care, Ronald McDonald House is neither owned nor fully funded by McDonald's. Local McDonald's owner/operators and their customers provide approximately eight percent of our operating budget. Several owner/operators and McDonald's corporate employees volunteer as members of our Board or serve as guest services or meals volunteers. McDonald's customers show their support by donating change in the restaurant donation canisters. Additionally, McDonald's Global provides training, support and matching funds for our local grantmaking efforts. McDonald's vendors, such as Coca-Cola, USA Today, Klosterman Baking Co. and M&M Restaurant Supply, are also donors to the House.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is strategically partnered with our Ronald McDonald House in changing the outcome for pediatric patients and their families. Ronald McDonald House is neither owned nor fully funded by Cincinnati Children's. Ronald McDonald House serves as the sole provider of supportive housing for Cincinnati Children's patient families. Recognizing the vital role Ronald McDonald House plays in caring for pediatric patients and their families, Cincinnati Children's made a strategic investment in our House in April 2009 by underwriting the cost of our new expansion wing. Ronald McDonald House, in turn, remains responsible for all operating expenses, the necessary renovations to our existing House and the necessary growth in our endowment fund.

Families with a child receiving in-patient or out-patient medical treatment may call to inquire about a room 24 hours before their child is to be admitted to or treated at Cincinnati Children's. Families traveling from outside the United States may call 72 hours prior to admission or treatment. Families are welcomed to the House on a first-come, first-served basis. Guest families are asked to contribute $25 per day to off-set the cost of their stay (our actual cost to care for a family is close to $100/day). No one, however, is ever turned away due to an inability to make this nominal donation. The average amount contributed, by guests, is $10 per day. There is no limit on a family's length of stay; although, we continue to review the family's case with the physician and social worker to ensure continued stay is appropriate.

To learn more about how you can support the House, please return to the Donate and Volunteer pages.