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Explore our 50 year journey

Beginning a
Journey of Care

Mission begins to provide better outcomes for families with children who are sick in the U.S.

11

Total programs for families

1

Country

Supporting families through:

1974 First Ronald McDonald House program

1977 Second House opens, sparking a movement

1979 11 House programs available across the U.S.

Family Care Grows Globally

Families in need of accommodations and support near pediatric hospitals worldwide drive Ronald McDonald House to expand services across Austria, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and U.S.

117

Total programs for families

5

Countries and regions

Supporting families through:

  • 1981 First Houses open in Canada and Australia

  • 1985 First House opens in Europe (Netherlands)

  • 1986 Camps, activities for families and siblings

  • 1989 100+ new programs in 5 different countries

    Expanding Family Support

    Ronald McDonald House continues to identify new ways to support families along their child's healthcare journey including providing supportive spaces of respite right inside the hospital.

    205

    Total programs for families

    26

    Countries and regions

    Supporting families through:

    • 1992 First Ronald McDonald House Family Room opens in the U.S. (Kansas)

    • 1994 First House opens in Latin America (Brazil)

    • 1996 First Family Room opens in New Zealand and first House in Asia (Hong Kong)

    • 1997 Health education for children begins in Taiwan

      Addressing Healthcare Gaps

      Bridging the gaps in access to care for families in underserved communities, Ronald McDonald House begins to partner with local clinical services providers to deliver essential healthcare services where they are sparse.

      375

      Total programs for families

      43

      Countries and regions

      Supporting families through:

      • 2000 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program launched in the U.S.

      • 2001 First Care Mobile launched in Latin America (Argentina)

      • 2002 Children's well-being programs start in the Philippines

      • 2004 Accommodations for at-risk prenatal mothers in the U.S. per published research

      • 2009 Early Cancer Detection education programs available in Brazil & Poland

        Advancing Family-Centered Care

        Advocating for families, Ronald McDonald House begins to advance family-centered care with global government and healthcare leaders while impacting even more families worldwide.

        618

        Total programs for families

        59

        Countries and regions

        Supporting families through:

        • 2011 First Care Mobile in Indonesia

        • 2014 Enabling family participation in children's healthcare per published research

        • 2015 First conference advocating for family participation in children's healthcare (Netherlands)

        • 2018 First Ronald McDonald House program in Africa (South Africa)

        • 2019 Conferences advocating for family participation in children's healthcare (Curaçao, Portugal and Ukraine)

          Family Needs Lead Growth, Innovation

          Ronald McDonald House sets the course to serve more families better by tailoring programs and services to ensure the best outcomes for the whole family based on global research and data about family needs.

          655+

          Total programs for families

          60+

          Countries and regions

          Programs and services worldwide that:

          • Promote health education, facilitate preventative care & inform early diagnosis
          • Ensure healthy accommodations, regular meals and mental health support
          • Provide communities of support, connections to local support services and address unique needs locally
          • Advocate for families to ensure the best health outcomes for children
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          Celebrating-50-Years

          Celebrating 50 Years of Global Impact

          Take a look at the growth of our global impact over the past five decades.

          Celebrating 50 Years of Global Impact

          Take a look at the growth of our global impact over the past five decades.

          Celebrating-50-Years