Getting close to your sick child. Ronald McDonald Children's Fund

October 15, 2024 is a very special day: Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. For 50 years, the global organization, of which the Ronald McDonald Children's Fund is a part, has focused on families with a sick or care-intensive child so that they can best care for their child and be close to each other.

From the very first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia to Houses and other initiatives in 62 countries and regions. Millions of families are helped each year. Families like those of twins Elif and Mina, pictured above. When they were born premature, their parents stayed at Ronald McDonald House Southeast Brabant so they could always be close by. We are proud to be part of this global organization. 💛

The sparkling Kim Hill is diagnosed with acute leukemia at the age of three. It is then 1974, and her parents Fran and Fred do everything they can to be close to her. Even though they have to sleeping on hospital chairs and eating out of snack machines; they do not leave her side. This family's struggle inspires one doctor (Audrey Evans), one football team (Philadelphia Eagles) and one company (McDonald's) to create the 1974 first Ronald McDonald House to build, in Philadelphia. McDonald's then became a permanent sponsor and hundreds of Ronald McDonald Houses opened worldwide.

Pediatric cancer specialist Prof. Dr. Tom Voûte first became acquainted with the Ronald McDonald Houses in America in the early 1980s. Immediately he is convinced that the Netherlands also needs these Houses. He received support from McDonald's Netherlands. In 1985 it was time: Princess Margriet opened the very first Ronald McDonald House in the Netherlands and Europe in Amsterdam. Children who are admitted to the Emma Children's Hospital now have their parents and siblings close by.

Now, almost 40 years later, families in the Netherlands can be hosted in eleven Ronald McDonald Houses, twelve House Rooms and three vacation homes. We want to offer as many families as possible a place close to their sick or care-intensive child. Will you help too?