Facts at a Glance
Hometown: London, ON
Affiliated hospitals: Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Parkwood and University
Opened: in 1985 with 12 bedrooms, expanded to 17 bedrooms in 1987
Bedrooms now: 34
Number of families helped each year: 552
Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario was home to its first family on June 24, 1985. Since then, 10.000 families have called it home under the most trying circumstances – while their child is gravely ill. But despite the trauma and chaos they’re going through, families continue to find the House a place of calm, support and love.
Ten full time and part time staff and a pool of 300 volunteers see to it that the children and families who stay have the comforts they want and the support they need. They organize and make home-cooked meals for everyone and keep the House stocked and clean. They take care of all the small things so parents can focus on what’s most important – their child.
Thanks to a recent expansion, the House can now accommodate twice as many families. This will virtually eliminate the waiting list for a House stay, which sits around 310 throughout the year. A special fund was made available to help families pay for hotel accommodation when there’s no room for them at the House. Families who do stay are asked to pay only $10 a night, though no family is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. The actual cost to operate is $73 per family, per night.
Meet Jake he was diagnosed with cancer and rushed to a hospital 140 kilometres away, all in a day.
741 Base Line Road East
London, ON N6C 2R6
www.rmhsouthwesternontario.ca
Phone: 519-685-3232