History

How did Ronald McDonald House Start?

When Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill's 3-year-old daughter, Kim, was being treated for leukemia in 1974, his life changed.

He and his wife, Fran, camped out on hospital benches and sat in cramped waiting rooms during Kim's three years of treatment. They watched other parents and families of seriously ill children do the same thing. Many of the families had to travel long distances for their children to receive medical treatment and couldn't afford hotel rooms.

The Hills knew there had to be a solution. Fred rallied the support of his teammates to raise funds. Through Jim Murray, the Eagles' general manager, the team offered its support to Dr. Audrey Evans, head of the pediatric oncology unit at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Evans dreamed of a comfortable temporary residence for families of children being treated at her hospital.

Jim enlisted Don Tuckerman from the local McDonald's advertising agency who, with the support of McDonald's Regional Manager Ed Rensi, launched the St. Patrick's Day Green Milkshake (dubbed the Shamrock Shake) promotion. Funds raised helped buy an old house located near the hospital, which was opened in 1974 as the first Ronald McDonald House. The network of Houses quickly grew after that. In 2010, the 300th Ronald McDonald House was opened.

 

How did Our Ronald McDonald House Start?

  • Discussions regarding a Ronald McDonald House in London, Ontario, began in 1982.
  • The first Planning Committees and Board of Directors were formed in 1983.
  • March 5, 1984: The fundraising campaign in support of the House was officially launched.
  • The Construction Committee put the House plans out for tender in May, 1984.
  • Construction began during the summer of 1984.
  • Architect Gail Lamb designed the twelve bedroom House. The interior decorator was Jane MacLaren.
  • The official opening ceremonies took place on May 29, 1985.
  • The first guest family registered June 24, 1985
  • Five new bedrooms were added to coincide with the facility's second anniversary in 1987. This expansion increased the number of bedrooms to 18
  • The House underwent an $8.5 million expansion over the last year that increased the capacity from 17 rooms to 34 rooms and from 17,000 sq ft to 37,000 sq ft.