History
The first Ronald McDonald House® opened in Philadelphia in 1974 thanks to the efforts of Fred Hill, a Philadelphia Eagles football player. When his daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia, Hill and his wife camped out on hospital chairs and benches, and got by on food from vending machines. And they saw other families suffering the same fate.
Hill met Dr. Audrey Evans, a paediatric oncologist who had long dreamed of providing temporary housing for families like the Hills. With considerable help from local McDonalds franchisees and Hill's Eagle team-mates, they established the very first Ronald McDonald House. Today, there are more than 270 Ronald McDonald House programs worldwide, helping more than one million people in North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Click on the link below to find out about specific houses throughout the world.
http://www.rmhc.org

What is its purpose?
Sick children need more than good medical attention. They need emotional support from their parents, brothers and sisters. Families, in turn, need comfort as they find their day-to-day problems are often compounded. They may have travelled a distance for medical care, and may have to pay expensive accommodation costs. Ronald McDonald House provides a resting-place in lieu of hospital corridors and floors, and is a source of additional strength and stability for families when a child is seriously ill.

Hear family stories from those who have stayed at Ronald McDonald House.

Asia's First Ronald McDonald House
Though some hospitals provide limited live-in accommodation, parents cannot be at a child's bedside 24 hours a day. Doctors, nurses and local medical authorities have long been concerned about loved ones who sleep overnight in hospital corridors or on the floor just to be near their children. With the grand opening of Asia's first Ronald McDonald House in September 1996, these children and their families have a place to rest and spend time together. As the House addresses a very real need in the community, the government provided a land grant near the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Operation
The House is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong Limited, an independent non-profit organisation. Additional contributions come from our Board of Directors, members of the community, local businesses, health professionals and McDonald's customers. The day-to-day operation is the responsibility of a House manager, an assistant manager, an administrative secretary, housekeeper and a staff of caring volunteers. As many as 80-100 volunteers actively donate their time and energy to help the House run smoothly.

Learn more about our services.