Our Families Need You Now—
More Than Ever Before
The financial burden of having a seriously ill or injured child can be crippling. Many families struggle to find – and fund – accommodation near the hospital, sometimes for weeks or months. The unpredictability and financial strain take a devastating toll.
Our Ronald McDonald Houses in Brisbane have remained committed to continuing to serve existing families with sick children during this difficult time: providing overnight accommodation, meals and support.
As well as a place to stay, it’s the comfort of a hot cuppa or a shoulder to cry on with our staff after a hard day at hospital. It’s a home-cooked meal so they don’t have to worry about dinner. It’s the special treats from the pantry and entertaining activity kits for the kids. And it’s the comfort of a warm bed or soft pillow to close their eyes; even for a moment.
Today, our charity is experiencing a great time of need, with a significant reduction in funding due to the cancellation of fundraising events and volunteering programs which are so vital for our Ronald McDonald Houses.
Our families need you, now more than ever. Will you give a gift today so we can continue to keep our families safe and connected during this critical time and the months and years to come?
Your urgent gift will help family life carry on during these tough times.
Our Impact in 2019
103,894
bed nights filled across our three Houses
5,685
families stayed in our Houses
28,798
individual visitors were welcomed to our Family Rooms
146
students supported by the Ronald McDonald Learning Program in SEQ
365
The longest nights a family stayed at RMHC SEQ
7 nights
the average length of stay for a family
Cooper's Story
“People have good hearts to donate and keep this House going. I don’t know what I or other families would have done if this House wasn’t here for us during such a difficult time.”
Cooper and his mum Billie-Jo travelled from Ayr in North Queensland to stay at our Ronald McDonald House in South Brisbane due to Cooper’s diagnosis of stage IV neuroblastoma in his right kidney, chest, pelvis and skull. Over the past 15 months, brave little Cooper has already endured five rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and major surgery to remove the largest tumor in his kidney.
At the House, Cooper has also been able to safely recuperate between treatments, which has been so very important during the Coronavirus pandemic.
“The House is the safest place for us at the moment. We arrived without a car and taking public transport and being out and about would have been so dangerous for Cooper’s immune system. This House has been an absolute blessing, not just for me and my family, but every family with a sick child who has stayed here”
Despite his long ordeal, Cooper is a happy little boy with a cheeky smile that lights up the House. While the family is happy to be heading home soon, Billie-Jo said donating makes all the difference.
