When a child needs specialist medical treatment, families often have to travel to a hospital far from home, leaving behind the comfort of familiar routines and support networks.
A room nearby, at a Ronald McDonald House, means parents can be there through it all. For the scans. The bedtime stories. The hard conversations. The cuddles.
Staying in one place as a family, with less time spent travelling to and from the hospital
Being just minutes from the ward, so you can be there whenever your child needs you
Having somewhere to make a cup of tea, grab a snack, do a load of laundry or take a quiet moment
Keeping some normal routines for brothers and sisters, from shared meals to homework after school
Having somewhere quiet to ‘work from home’, so work and money worries feel a little more manageable
Ronald McDonald Houses provide families with a place to stay close to their child’s hospital, for as long as they need it.
After around five weeks of frightening uncertainty and repeated appointments, Melly was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt lymphoma. The news changed life overnight for her family, with everything suddenly revolving around treatment, hospital stays and helping Melly through the biggest challenge of her young life.
Melly’s family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham for 46 days while she received treatment. Being just minutes from the hospital meant they could focus on supporting her, while everyday comforts such as cooking a proper meal, doing some washing or sitting somewhere quiet helped them hold on to a sense of routine.
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