PR department. Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds
When a child falls sick, it needs the constant care and love of its parents even more.
Especially when a child is admitted into hospital for treatment, the parents want to be
there permanently, for and with their child, despite all practical problems that they
inevitably have to face. The journey from home to hospital can be long and tiresome. When
the parents choose to ‘room-in’ (i.e., stay in hospital), they do not get the
chance to relax or find some space and time for themselves. Brothers and sisters at home
need to be taken care of too. In short, many problems need to be solved, during a time
when the attention and energy of the parents should be focused on the sick child’s
wellbeing, care and recovery.
It is precisely for this reason that Dr. Audrey Evans M.D., oncologist in Philadelphia,
wished to create a ‘home away from home’ for parents of seriously sick children.
With the help of McDonald’s, she managed to start the first Ronald McDonald House in
1974. Audrey Evans inspired many other people to spread the Ronald McDonald Houses all
over the world. Almost 25 years later, a total of 195 Ronald McDonald Houses is
operational world wide.
European Ronald McDonald Houses
In 1985, the first European House was opened in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The initiative
for this Ronald McDonald House came from Prof. Dr. Tom Voûte, paediatric oncologist at
the Emma Kinderkliniek of the Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC). He had observed the idea
when visiting the States, including Dr. Evans in Philadelphia, and was very much impressed
by the positive consequences for both the child and the parents. In The Netherlands, he
addressed McDonald’s for financial support. Many other donors and sponsors also made
the first House possible.
After the opening of the Amsterdam House, other European countries soon followed: Austria,
France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom started fund-raising
programmes and a co-operation with McDonald’s for the benefit of (a) Ronald McDonald
House (-s). Within thirteen years, a total of 25 Ronald McDonald Houses has been
built to serve various European hospitals, while Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland and
Spain have recently started their RMHC Chapters. The latter five countries expect to have
opened their first House before 2000.
The European Executive Committee (EEC), which was founded in 1995, primarily aims at
effecting the Ronald McDonald House Charities programme in Europe. The committee provides
all Chapters of RMHC with information and advice. EEC also aims at realising a
Pan-European sponsoring programme in order to provide new initiatives with sufficient
means to start an RMHC Chapter and thus create the necessary conditions for realising more
Ronald McDonald Houses. Pascal Rijnders, also managing director of the Ronald McDonald
Kinderfonds (Netherlands), is chairman of the EEC.
Use and Necessity of Ronald McDonald Houses undisputed
From daily practice, in the course of time, the Kinderfonds has concluded that Ronald
McDonald Houses fill an essential need. Everyone is able to picture the importance of
being with your child whenever it is sick, let alone when it is seriously sick. But the
exact use and necessity of the Ronald McDonald Houses had never been mapped. For this
reason, and also, in justification towards all donors and sponsors of the Kinderfonds and
the Houses, the Kinderfonds commissioned ARGO, research institute of Groningen University,
to execute a study.
Within the scope of this ‘Study on the Use and Necessity of the Ronald McDonald
House’, more than 700 parents were interviewed who stayed in a Ronald McDonald House
in the period of October 1995 until May 1996. 93% considers the Ronald McDonald Houses
invaluable. The most important reason indicated by these parents is that they are always
nearby their child and still keep their privacy. Staying in the hospital, in a bed next to
the child or in a spare bedroom, might be an alternative for the first few days and weeks,
but soon will take its toll. Much energy, time and money are wasted on the long journey
from home to hospital each day. Furthermore, parents will have to face the domestic
problems, since the family at home will also be confronted with stress and tension. In the
Ronald McDonald House, the parents can find some rest, despite the tense situation. The
House will be happy to welcome brothers and sisters, who will mainly stay there in the
weekends, and other family members as well.
Parents as well as brothers and sisters can be involved more intensively in the
child’s treatment and care. Moreover, they can be called for immediately when they
are needed. Due to that commitment, the parents’ fear is reduced. Also, the
child’s fear is minimised because of the knowledge of the continuous support and
nearness of the parents. Parents regain their strength, which they cannot do without while
supporting their sick child.
A quote of a parent in this difficult period:
"When suddenly your child falls sick, you’ve had it. At such a moment, you are
confronted with so many things. I was unable to think and I was grateful to find someone
in hospital suggesting to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. (…)
I am never alone here, and still I can be with my child, whenever necessary. It feels like
one big family, having to go through something really bad together, and that is why you
have this continuous respect for one another."
Professionals working in the hospital are very positive about the Ronald McDonald Houses.
Doctors appreciate to have the parents permanently nearby for medical decisions. There is
more time for consultation. Furthermore, they observe that the treatment is more
successful due to the reduction of the fear of both the child and the parents. The nursing
staff concludes that the children are manageable much more easily.
The results of the study show that the Ronald McDonald Houses are an indispensable and
necessary completion of the facilities already provided by hospitals. Fortunately, the
Netherlands already has eight Ronald McDonald Houses. Each university hospital has thus
been provided with a ‘home away from home’ that has been and can be used by many
parents. On top of the roof of the new Juliana Paediatric Hospital in The Hague, the ninth
House is built. That House will be opened in 1999.
Not alone
None of the RMHC Chapters or Ronald McDonald Houses is subsidised by the Government. That
means that they are dependent on many individuals and companies who want to give their
heartfelt support. Thanks to a great many constant donors and sponsors, the existing
Ronald McDonald Houses have been made possible, and their maintenance has hopefully been
guaranteed.
In the coming years, the Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds as well as the other European
Chapters want to build more Ronald McDonald Houses serving more hospitals. Next to that,
all Chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities are focusing on more initiatives,
centralising the ‘sick child and its wellbeing’, which will deserve attention
and assistance.
In order to be able to keep providing the Ronald McDonald Houses with full support, Ronald
McDonald House Charities will still need the permanent backing of their generous
givers. Eventually, they are the ones who provide a lot of people with indispensable
support.
For further information about Ronald McDonald House Charities Europe, please contact the
European Executive Committee (EEC) through Pascal A.R. Rijnders, chairman of this
committee. EEC advises and guides initiatives for all European countries and functions as
a spokesperson for Ronald McDonald House Charities Oak Brook, the umbrella of RMHC world
wide.
Pascal Rijnders can be contacted at the Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds, Hettenheuvelweg 37-H, 1101 BM Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Phone + 31 20 342 09 09, fax + 31 20 342 09 08.