Mission

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope.

Our programs include two Ronald McDonald Houses, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to provide a respite space away from the bedside, and our one week Ronald McDonald Camp for oncology patients and their siblings.

What We Do

Founded as the first Ronald McDonald House in 1974, the vision of the House was to provide a place where families could stay close to their children in the hospital. With seven rooms, and the support of the Philadelphia Eagles and the sale of shamrock shakes at local McDonald's restaurants, the House opened its doors on October 15, 1974. Today, as we plan to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we serve 65 families each night.

Our daily goals are simple yet powerful: to support access to care, reduce the financial burden to families, to provide psychosocial support which enhances their clinical experience and outcomes and finally, to help families resume normalcy in their lives. These goals are accomplished with the support of over 350 volunteers, 20 staff members and funding from individuals, corporations and foundation grants and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Each family has a private room in the House. Additionally, homecooked meals are provided every day, shuttles run continuously between the hospitals and the House, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor play space for the children and gym facilities for caregivers. Families from forty-four states and eighteen countries stayed at the House in 2012. The impact of a family's stay is in the numbers. When surveyed, 98% of the families agreed that their ability to stay close by improved their child's experience in the hospital. 97% agreed that staying at the House made it easier to access treatment, 99% of the families agreed that staying at the House reduced their stress levels and finally, 99% of the families staying at the House agreed that their stay helped them maintain their well-being.