Ronald McDonald House is the House that love built

a home-away-from-home for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

A diagnosis of cancer in a child is one of the most emotionally devastating events a family can experience. For many families, anxiety, fear and uncertainty are compounded by the need to travel far from home for treatment. Since 1978, Ronald McDonald House has provided a safe, supportive and caring environment for children and their families in time of crisis. Our goal is to help families share the normal experiences of life and support growth, learning and independence in the children. As greater numbers of children survive childhood cancer, Ronald McDonald House is being acknowledged increasingly by professionals in the field as an important and supportive adjunct to medical treatment.

The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Here families find a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. Every day, children form friendships with other children and, through these bonds, regain a sense of control and experience the fun of childhood. Parents also gain strength and new understanding through the friendships they form with other parents who understand exactly how they feel.

Ronald McDonald House in New York City is the largest facility of its type in the world. The House can accommodate 83 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House’s location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 12 major cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area.

It costs Ronald McDonald House $210 per night per family (approximately $17,000 per day) to operate, sustain and staff the House. Because we know that cancer can be financially as well as emotionally devastating, Ronald McDonald House asks each family to pay only a nominal fee of $35.00 per night.

The Ronald McDonald House Program is a series of classes, events and activities designed to help children and families retain a sense of normal life and to nurture the children’s emotional growth and well-being. Program activities are provided by paid professional staff and by committed volunteers. In addition to birthday and holiday celebrations and visits to cultural, sports and recreational events around the city, the Program includes such activities as chess clubs, baking classes, self expression art, Boy Scouts (open to girls, as well) and children’s educational offerings provided by professionals including computer classes, music (including instrument instruction) and art lessons.

Since its founding, over 25,000 children have stayed at Ronald McDonald House.