RMHC Launches Its Annual Holiday Campaign "Give the Gift of Togetherness"

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwired - Nov 6, 2013) - Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) launched its annual "Give the Gift of Togetherness" campaign featuring the testimonials of two fathers from the same small town whose lives were turned upside down when their teenage daughters were diagnosed with cancer. The goal is to inspire donors through an integrated digital campaign hosted on the Charity's mobile-optimized website to support RMHC and help families like the Ashes and Dingwells.

Both Mike Ash and Carl Dingwell live with their families in Goose Bay, a remote city on the Eastern coast of Canada. Their daughters attended school together and were planning to attend "The Snow Ball" when they learned they were diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. With the closest hospital nearly 1,000 miles from home, these two fathers had to make decisions for their families in an instant, leaving their jobs, their wives and their other children at home to find the best care for their young daughters.

Upon arriving at St. John's Hospital they were told about the Ronald McDonald House® of Newfoundland and Labrador, a "home-away-from-home," steps away from the hospital. In this place, both families found comfort and hope, a place where they relied on each other to fight cancer becoming one big family. "I was able to be by Kayla's side through 84 long days of chemo," said Mike Ash. "Thanks to the House, I didn't need to worry about anything. I found the strength to focus on helping my daughter through her recovery. And, I found a lifelong friendship with the Dingwells." 

"Every day, through family-centered programs like the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room®, more than 12,000 families can be with their children through countless treatments, surgeries and doses of medicine, thanks to the generosity of donors," said J.C. Gonzalez Mendez, president and CEO, RMHC. "This holiday season, we are asking our supporters to invest in our unique ability to help improve the clinical outcomes for sick children by giving them the greatest gift of all -- the gift of family, the gift of togetherness."

With nearly 60 percent of donations by individuals being given to the global office of RMHC online or through mail in the last two months of the year, the campaign is designed to help donors understand the vital work that RMHC performs while allowing donors to benefit from potential tax deductions. Donors can experience how RMHC helps children heal through the Charity's mobile optimized website, a multimedia experience, documentaries told through the words of the Ash and Dingwell families, digital advertising on e-commerce sites, such as Amazon.com, and social media engagement.

Visit www.rmhc.org/season-of-giving to learn more about RMHC or donate to help more fathers, like Mike and Carl, have the resources and stability they need to keep their family intact and strong, which is proven to help their children heal.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 58 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC) or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.