Sedona Az–Families from across the state, around the country as well as from nine countries outside the United States found warmth and comfort during 2010 at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Phoenix. The Valley’s two Ronald McDonald Houses – the original at 501 E. Roanoke Ave. and the second house on the Phoenix Children’s Hospital campus – served as a home-away-from home for 2,314 families last year, an increase of nearly 200 over 2009 and almost 400 more than in 2008.

Families are asked only a $15 nightly fee, but no one is turned away if they can’t afford to pay.  The visits represented 20,124 family nights.

Families stay at the Ronald McDonald House when their children are undergoing medical care and treatment at Valley hospitals for often life-threatening illnesses and injuries. “We would like nothing better than to have to close our doors because that would mean families don’t need our assistance,” said Ronald McDonald House Executive Director Nancy Roach.  “But as long as one family is in need, we will be here to make sure they have a safe, comfortable and welcoming place to stay, a warm meal and caring staff and volunteers to make them feel at home.”

Nearly 90 percent of the families came from Arizona, with the largest number (377) from Navajo County.  There were 341 families from Mohave County, 261 from Coconino County, 231 from Yuma County and 199 from Yavapai County. Families also were seeking medical care in the Valley from Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy and England.

The number of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in 2010 and their home counties are: Apache: 144; Cochise: 43; Coconino: 261; Gila: 95; Graham: 28; La Paz: 11; Maricopa: 97; Mohave: 341; Pima: 151; Pinal: 66; Navajo: 377; Yuma: 231; Other states/countries: 271.

Based on average nightly hotel rates in the Valley ($95.01 per night; Arizona Office of Tourism), staying at hotels would have cost the families a total of $1.9 million. “Many families can’t afford to stay in hotels, particularly those who may have to travel from cities like Kingman, Yuma and Lake Havasu City,” Roach said.  “By providing a place for them to stay, many families don’t have to drive back and forth but can be here with their sick children and even have their other children with them here.”

Since opening in 1985, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix has served more than 30,000 families.  Up to 45 families can stay at the Roanoke House and 18 families can find housing at the House on Cambridge Street just south of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to have been a part of so many wonderful stories and to have made so many remarkable friends over the years,” Roach said. 

For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix provides a “home away from home” for children and their families who travel to Phoenix to receive treatment for serious, often life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The two houses operated in Phoenix can accommodate up to 63 families a night.  Families stay for days, weeks, sometimes months at a time while their children receive care. Since opening our doors 25 years ago, Ronald McDonald House has served nearly 30,000 families from across the state and around the world. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, a non-profit organization supported by individual, corporate and foundation donations, never turns away a family if it cannot afford the $15 nightly fee we ask.  For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.