A home away from home

The Ronald McDonald House makes illnesses easier for families to bear. The big, stone building at 3925 Chestnut Street doesn't immediately appear to be the kind of place that might house seriously ill children and their families. The tall, iron gates, gray stone exterior and green-tile roof peaks make the place look something like a fairy-tale fortress. The main entrance area, moreover, could easily be mistaken for the lobby of a luxury hotel: Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and a polished marble floor leads into a spacious room with thick couches and a grand fireplace. There's no question the benefactors of the Ronald McDonald House stop at nothing to make sure guests feel welcome. The West Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, which was the first of 200 branches worldwide, exists to provide a home-away-from-home where families can stay while their children are being treated at a nearby medical facility. The house primarily serves children with various forms of childhood cancer who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation. In 1974, the house was started through the efforts of Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, along with former Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill, whose daughter was being treated for leukemia. Evans' desire to provide housing for her patients and their families, and Hill's desire to aid other families in similar situations, brought the two together. With the aid of McDonald's owners and operators throughout the city, a "green milkshake fundraiser" -- which sold green-tinted milkshakes in honor of St. Patrick's Day -- was started. Funds from the milkshakes were used to purchase and renovate the first house. In exchange, the house was named for McDonald's. Today, McDonald's support varies from location to location. The backbone of the house is its strong support network of volunteers and corporations who give generously. Such donations allow the house to help over 1,700 families per year . Always Packed Barbara Nelson, an administrative assistant at the house for the past 2 1/2 years, says the place is "just like a big bed and breakfast." And the workers try to give their guests the special attention usually afforded by such an establishment: a welcoming and sensitive atmosphere that helps create a pleasurable shift from hospital life to a more relaxing experience. Family counseling, communal dinners and movies are some of the activities regularly available to help families ease tension. The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House currently has 43 rooms and is usually filled to capacity. Families come from all around the world -- from Lancaster County, Pa., to the Middle East. The diversity of guests is one of the biggest challenges -- and rewards -- for employees. "Everyone has different ways of doing things; it is certainly a balancing act," Nelson said. "Not everyone uses the same herbs, wears the same clothing, follows the same traditions. In any communal living situation you're going to face difficulties." Nevertheless, the benefits of living at the house make the experience more than worthwhile for many families. Though it costs the house $55 per day to house a child, families are only obligated to pay $15 for the first four nights and $10 each additional night. Furthermore, the house provides dinner and snacks on a regular basis. Families also get access to a pantry filled with dry foods and sundries donated by local businesses and organizations. For many, the help is invaluable and often eliminates the need to declare bankruptcy due to high medical costs. Eddie Walsh's Story Jim Walsh, a firefighter from Scranton, Pa., did not know that a branch of the Ronald McDonald House served Philadelphia when he was first forced to rush his son, Eddie, to CHOP a year ago. At age 12, Eddie was diagnosed with childhood leukemia and was in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. In order to receive proper care until a successful donor was located, Eddie had to remain at CHOP. Jim and his wife, Donna, a nursing assistant, promised their son they would never leave his side. Thus, night after night the Walshes tried to sleep on hospital floors and chairs. After a week of hospital living, the Walshes found out about the local Ronald McDonald House through a hospital employee. Although Jim Walsh had volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Scranton, he was unaware of the West Philadelphia branch. The Walshes have now made the Ronald McDonald House their second home. For the past year, Donna and Jim have taken turns traveling the 130 miles between Scranton and Philadelphia so that one of them is with Eddie at all times. They're particularly thankful because cash flow had been slowing: Shortly after Eddie was diagnosed with leukemia, Donna quit her job. And although Jim was making a modest salary as a firefighter, he was extremely worried about the possibility of losing his home. The low cost of staying at the Ronald McDonald House means the family does not have to shoulder the burden of hotel costs. Helen Schaeffer, head social worker at the house, has helped the Walshes make it through the worst of times. "Helen cries with us," Jim Walsh said. "She always comes to the hospital to make make sure we are taken care of and Eddie is receiving the best care. She is nurturing and makes us feel like we are part of a big family." And Schaeffer was with the Walshes to celebrate and pray when they found out Eddie's 6-year-old brother Jimmy was a match. A Sense of Community The Ronald McDonald House is dedicated to making its patients and their families feel as welcome as possible, especially during the holidays. Thanksgiving dinner is always an elaborate feast of home-style meals and platters donated by local restaurants. And around Christmas, there is always an influx of volunteers and people ready to donate presents and food. However, the presence of volunteers is a year-round necessity. In fact, just about everyone on staff at the house is a volunteer. Members of Penn's Kite and Key Society regularly volunteer at the house, where they may spend time playing with the children or working behind the main desk. Recently, second-year Wharton graduate student Mark Miller proposed starting the Ronald McDonald House Club for Wharton graduate students. Miller, a native of Philadelphia, volunteered for various charities throughout his undergraduate years at the University of Vermont. When arriving at Wharton for graduate school, he was surprised that there was no club dedicated to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Miller is looking to create a beneficial experience for both the families at the house and Wharton graduate students. He hopes to organize dinners and run holiday parties, as well as other types of events. And he has high hopes: His goal is to get 45 other Whartonites to participate. This way everyone can commit to at least one visit per week. "With Wharton students you have to lay it out. Everyone has tight schedules, and it is often difficult to get people to commit," he said. Miller hopes that the relaxed structure of the club will encourage people to get involved.