Donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Help Save Families Over $257 Million in Lodging While Caring for Their Sick Child

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Dec 27, 2011) - Without the ability for families to stay at a Ronald McDonald House®, the more than 2.1 million RMHC families who are battling a child's serious injury or illness at a hospital far from home would have to spend an estimated $257 million in lodging costs; these costs, coupled with the cost of their child's medical care, can be daunting. Donors who wish to help alleviate the financial burden of these families can make a tax-deductible donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) before December 31, 2011 and the close of the year-end.

For more than 37 years, RMHC has provided stability and vital resources to families to help get and keep their children healthy and happy through three core programs -- the Ronald McDonald House®, a "home-away-from-home" so families can stay close by their hospitalized child; the Ronald McDonald Family Room®, a place for families to rest and regroup right at the hospital, just steps away from their sick child; and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, a clinic on wheels that offers affordable health care for children, right in their own neighborhood.

Nearly 88 cents of every dollar spent globally is used to fund these local programs who not only provide comfort and care to families, but who keep families together during the most trying times of their lives. Beyond the emotional and financial support to families, studies show that having families close by helps children cope better and heal faster. Families like the Baileys, who struggled with keeping their six children together after learning that their daughter Elizabeth had a brain tumor and needed to be treated at a hospital three hours away from their home, found a place to call home at a Ronald McDonald House in Colorado Springs, CO.

"We stayed at the House for approximately two months during Elizabeth's surgery and recovery where she learned to walk again," said Alia Bailey. "We faced a traumatic experience as a family, a tremendous financial burden and a time where we questioned our own strength. But, together, we were able to fight to help Elizabeth take those first steps because of the comfort, care and services provided by the Ronald McDonald House."

"Through our programs and services, we support the entire family by giving them time and resources to strengthen their child," said Jennifer Blanchard Smith, senior director RMHC. "The impact of gifts -- no matter the size, is profound and it will help us give children the best medicine of all, their families." There are no limits on charitable contributions for most taxpayers and RMHC will provide written acknowledgement for donations over $250, and a thank you email for online donations from $10 and up that will serve as proof when claiming a deduction.

Since its inception, through strong relationships with the medical community, local Chapters, as well as important support from volunteers, staff, and generous donors, this nonprofit has been able to extend its reach globally with an RMHC presence in 54 countries and regions. Today, in response to health care trends and demand, the Charity continues to grow. Programs, like the Ronald McDonald House, are filled every night, with long waiting lists. By year-end 2015, the Charity plans to grow programs by 29 percent supporting families through 358 Ronald McDonald Houses in 41 countries, 244 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in 26 countries and 58 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in eight countries. Donors can invest in RMHC and its growth to better serve more families and children by donating today online at: http://rmhc.org/donate-redirect-season-1.

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 54 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-supported programs provide a bridge 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.
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