ABOUT THE BENEFICIARY

Mission
The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving care at local Philadelphia hospitals. We also run the Ronald McDonald Camp in the Poconos for oncology patients and their siblings as well as two Family Rooms in the Oncology and Cardiac Centers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to provide respite space for families away from the bedside.

The FIRST House That Love Built
Established in 1974, our House was the first of its kind and is the model for all other Ronald McDonald Houses in the world. After spending many nights sleeping in the hospital during his daughter’s treatment for Leukemia, Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill and his wife knew there could be a better way for families of sick children. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by General Manager Jim Murray, partnered with McDonald's in the Shamrock Shake fundraiser and presented Dr. Audrey Evans of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with the proceeds to the build the first Ronald McDonald House – a seven bedroom house on Spruce Street.

• Since its inception in 1974, the PRMH has grown to TWO Houses: one at Chestnut Street and a new House, opened in January of 2008, at Front and Erie Streets.
• We provide a supportive environment for up to 59 families at a time. Last year, we served over 2,100 families from 48 states and 20 countries. Our homes provide a safe and secure room, meals, van transportation to and from the hospital, garage parking, laundry facilities, TV lounges, indoor and outdoor play areas, an exercise room, computers, and wireless access.
• There are two criteria to stay at the House: children must be under 21 years old and families must live over 25 miles away. Children must also be receiving treatment at a local hospital
• Admission is based solely on need and no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. While it costs the Ronald McDonald House over $75 per night to provide housing and supportive services, families are asked to pay only $15 per night. So many of our families suffer economic hardship in order to provide the best care for their children that over 70% cannot afford our modest nightly fee.
• The successful daily operation of our homes depends on the time and service of our small dedicated staff and the generosity of our volunteer corps of over 300 individuals who are the "Heart of the House."
• While the House receives a small portion of its operating budget (approximately 10%) from Ronald McDonald House Charities, the majority of its funds come from individual contributions.
• Today, there are over 280 Houses in 30 countries; Ronald McDonald Houses have helped over 10 million families since starting in Philadelphia over 30 years ago.