How you can support Ronald McDonald House Australia

When a child is ill or injured, it affects the entire family. Everyday life is disrupted. Especially when the best medical treatment for a child is far from home.

Ronald McDonald House® Australia is an independent, nonprofit organisation that has been caring for families for more than 45 years when their child is ill or injured.

Across Australia, from capital cities to remote communities, their essential services wrap families with care, enabling them to stay together, stay strong and stay connected so they can focus on what matters most – caring for their ill or injured child.

More than a place to stay, Ronald McDonald House Programs surround families with a community of support, care and the resources they need – a place to sleep, rest and play, keep working and learning, do laundry, share a home-cooked meal, connect with other families who have been there, feel the comfort and support of our staff and volunteers – to help make their journey a little easier.

Ronald McDonald House Programs across Australia – from Houses, Family Rooms, Family Hubs, Family Accommodation, Family Retreats, Learning Program and Hospitality Carts remove barriers and provide practical, emotional and financial support for families, all close to the hospital, for as long as they need it – so a family stays at the heart of their child’s healthcare, ensuring the best possible health outcomes.

To learn more about how you can support Ronald McDonald House Australia continue to deliver their essential services visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au.

Kit’s story – a life-changing diagnosis

In 2022, six-year-old Kit’s family’s world was turned upside down. What started as a long night in emergency quickly led to a life-changing cancer diagnosis and more than two years of intensive treatment. Kit faced it all with incredible courage, curiosity, and his signature sense of humour. 

Throughout his journey, Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Family Room were able to be there to support his family. It became a comforting space to rest, recharge, and escape the hospital environment—even just for a moment. For Kit, the pancake machine was a clear highlight.

The family also stayed at Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Family Retreat Forster in 2023, in 2024, just as Kit was finishing treatment, and again in 2025. These stays were a chance to reconnect, enjoy the outdoors, and meet other families who understood. “It was the first time in a long time I truly relaxed,” Kit’s mum said. 

Now, post-treatment, Kit is thriving. He’s back at school, enjoying karate, having playdates with friends, and loving life as a regular kid. For Kit and so many others, Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW provided more than just a place to stay—it gave them the support and space to heal together. 

Ben’s story – connecting at a Ronald McDonald Family Retreat

In 2024, the Ronald McDonald Family Retreats hosted over 740 families, almost 200 more than in 2023. From soaking up the sun in Busselton, to BBQs in Bunbury and beach strolls in Mandurah, families have the opportunity to unwind and reconnect for a week, at no cost to them. By offering a welcome sanctuary for families with ill or injured children to reconnect, relax and enjoy time together, an experience most of us often take for granted, the Ronald McDonald Family Retreats positively impact family wellbeing far from home. In its first year of operation, the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Mandurah has proved to be a family favourite. Its close proximity to Perth allows families with children undergoing treatment the opportunity to escape the wards and appointments with the peace of mind knowing that they are within an hour of Perth Children’s Hospital.

Sean recently spent a week with his family at the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Mandurah, whilst his son Ben underwent treatment for a brain tumour. “It was just nice to spend time together as a family. And good timing between Radiotherapy and Chemo.” Dad Sean said. The family took full advantage of their time away, exploring the neighbouring reef, walking to the Giants of Mandurah and enjoying breakfast together at Ben’s Café, located within the holiday complex. With the family now being able to travel further from home they are now counting down the days till their next adventure together.

The Ronald McDonald Family Retreats are so much more than a holiday, they are an opportunity for families to enjoy time together in each other’s company, which is an important part of the healing process for the entire family.

Henry’s story – 160 nights away from home

“You don’t know just how much Ronald McDonald House is needed until you find yourself in the unthinkable situation you never thought you’d be in,” says Garry, a proud farmer, husband to Lou and dad to Henry. He rarely leaves the farm for more than a week, but then, at 22 weeks pregnant, Lou had a routine scan in Parkes, 40km from their family farm. She was immediately rushed to Orange Hospital, 100km away, for observation, as there were concerns for the safety of their unborn son, Henry. They had no idea that she wouldn’t return home for 160 nights.

“I couldn’t be two hours away. I needed to be close. Ronald McDonald House welcomed me in at 11pm without hesitation,” says Garry. At 24 weeks, Lou was transferred to Newcastle. Henry was in distress, severely growth-restricted and had only a 50 per cent chance of survival. They chose to fight. Five days later, Henry was born, weighing just 560g. Although still critical, at seven weeks old, Henry’s condition began to stabilise. Garry needed to go back to the farm but the idea of leaving Lou and Henry for periods of time was an incredibly tough decision. Knowing she wasn’t alone at Ronald McDonald House made it possible, and it became more than a place to stay. “The meals, the chats, the comfort, they kept us going. They celebrated every gram Henry gained, every small win.”

After months of setbacks, infections, surgery for a hernia and three hospital transfers, Garry and Lou finally took Henry home. “In the waiting and the uncertainty, we were so grateful that Ronald McDonald House was a constant. We knew we had a safe haven away from the sterile hospital to wait for our boy. Ronald McDonald House helped us survive the scariest chapter of our lives. I’ll never forget it. When you donate, you’re giving parents like me more than shelter. You’re giving us the strength to keep fighting.”

Wheeler family story – a new home

It was a Friday morning that started like any other. Ayla’s husband Ben went to work, she dropped two of her kids, Cassie and Raiden, at school. But for her then five-year-old daughter Rosie, it was a trip to the local GP after she had been experiencing some minor nosebleeds and her teachers had reported she was falling asleep in class.

Unfortunately, this visit quickly turned into a 230km journey to the nearest hospital in Kalgoorlie.

Not long after arriving, Rosie underwent a blood transfusion, and they were put on a plane to Perth Children’s Hospital for further testing. Upon arriving in Perth late that night, Rosie was diagnosed with High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. “You hear about things like this, but you never think it’s going to be you.” says Ayla.

Far from the comforts and support of home, a social worker referred them to Ronald McDonald House Charities WA (RMHC WA) and shortly after, Ben, Cassie and Raiden flew to Perth to be by their side. What the family didn’t know at the time was the long journey that lay ahead. Fast-forward to June 2024, Ayla and Rosie still haven’t returned home and for the past 18 months.

“I don’t even know how we would be functioning without it. I don’t know if we would’ve been able to find somewhere to live and I don’t know if mentally I would be in the same place. I’ve got no one in Perth. Unless my family makes the 800km journey to visit, we are completely on our own. To have a support network here has been huge for my mental health. We’ve met a lot of beautiful families here, but everyone comes and goes. The staff and volunteers are always here – they have been our constant.” Ayla says.

The entire family has had to adjust to a new normal. Ayla’s husband, Ben, is based in Leonora, where Cassie and Raiden are in school, and he works to keep the family financially afloat. Despite monthly visits, spending time apart from Cassie and Raiden has been particularly difficult for Ayla. But when they do come to visit, RMHC provides a space for them to soak up much-needed quality time and focus on what’s most important – being together. “Everyone knows them. The volunteers even know what they like to eat. They come back and it’s like they never left.” says Ayla.

Having now spent two Christmases at RMHC, Ayla hoped she and Rosie could return home in March of this year. However, due to several hospitalisations since September and no fee-free accommodation options in Kalgoorlie, Rosie’s doctors are concerned that the 2.5-hour drive to the nearest hospital is too far from adequate medical support.

Their journey may be far from over and despite the uncertainty that lies ahead, there’s one thing they know for sure: RMHC will always be there for them for as long and as often as they need it.

Zhiging’s story – A holiday to remember

For many of us family holidays are a given in our yearly calendar. Whether it’s a road trip to see friends, a lazy week or two by the beach or heading to the grandparent’s house with all of your cousins, there’s always an adventure on the cards. But for 75% of families with a sick or injured child, holidays are simply out of reach.

From the day her daughter Zhiging was born 11 years ago, Lizzie dreamt of taking her entire family on a seaside holiday. She longed for Zhiging to feel the sand between her toes, play in the ocean, and be mesmerized by new surroundings. But for Lizzie, it wasn’t that simple.

As a single mother and full-time carer to both her parents who have dementia along with Zhiging, who was born with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, leaving her nonverbal and bound to a wheelchair; the cost, the time, the facilities and the help made it feel like mission impossible.

At night once she’d managed to get everyone fed and to bed, Lizzie would turn to her phone and search holiday destination after holiday destination, trawling for accessibility friendly accommodation, add them to her cart but never click ‘check out’.

RMHC Western Australia understands that Lizzie is not alone. With the average cost of a family holiday being around $3,000 it can feel like getting the chance to take a break from the seemingly endless medical appointments and hospital visits to just enjoy time together is unobtainable.

It was one of those late-night searches that led Lizzie to RMHC WA’s Family Retreats. She couldn’t believe what she was reading. At no charge, bereaved families or those with sick children can book one of Ronald McDonald Family Retreats for a maximum of one week. That next morning, Lizzie made the call, booking her entire family into the Busselton Family Retreat for six nights. This was it; this was exactly what she had been searching for. All of a sudden what once felt like an unreachable dream was now a reality.

The family travelled to Busselton, and for the first time in Zhiging’s life, she was on holiday, not just with mum but her grandparents too. For Lizzie, she finally got to sit with her parents by her side, and watch as her daughter put her toes in the sand, played in the ocean and was mesmerized by the natural beauty around her. “Although she is non-verbal, you couldn’t stop her from laughing and giggling at pretty much everything and anything. We explored the Busselton Jetty, drove to Yallingup and through Margaret River, all of us together” Lizzie said.

Holidays are so much more than getting away; they’re an important time to disconnect from the day-to-day and reconnect with family and friends. And for 81% of families with a sick or injured child, access to Ronald McDonald Family Retreats plays a vital role in improving the overall health and wellbeing of an entire family, just like Lizzie’s.

Emily’s Journey – A family’s story

Christmas is a time for family and togetherness, but for Nathan and Suzie, last Christmas marked a life-changing moment. Their three-year-old daughter, Emily, had just enjoyed Boxing Day with her sisters, Hailey and Kayla when they noticed some unexplained bruises on her arms and legs. Concerned, they scheduled an appointment with their GP, but the earliest they could see someone was on January 3—eight long days away.

As the New Year rolled in, the family took a trip to the zoo. After a minor fall, Emily’s bruising and swelling worsened, raising alarm bells for her parents. When they finally attended their appointment, the news was devastating. They were instructed to take Emily for blood tests, and just an hour later, they received a call that would change everything.

“We were told to take Emily to the nearest hospital immediately. We didn’t have time to think—just grab our keys and go,” Nathan recalled. Rushed to John Hunter Hospital, they travelled 160 kilometres without anything but the clothes on their backs. Emily was diagnosed with T-cell acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began chemotherapy the very next day. “It was a huge shock,” Suzie shared. “We were consumed with worry about Emily’s health and also the challenge of being so far from home.”

Fortunately, Ronald McDonald House Charities provided crucial support, offering a place to stay during this trying time. “Without them, we would have faced significant financial strain.” For over a year, the family called Ronald McDonald House Newcastle home. During Emily’s treatment, Nathan and Suzie have been able to keep their family together, supporting their daughters, Hailey (3) and Kayla (7), while being close to the hospital. “We had no idea how long we would be away, but with Emily so sick, we just couldn’t leave. It’s now been 419 days. I can’t imagine being separated from Nathan and the girls for that long,” Suzie said.

Following Emily’s remission, the family continued to stay at Newcastle House every two months. The family remains grateful for the sanctuary offered by RMHC during this time. “Having a family suite allowed us to stay together. Hailey and Kayla love the playground and toy rooms. And after long days at the hospital, coming back to a cooked meal is such a blessing. I can’t express how grateful I am for this support.” Emily’s journey shows the importance of keeping families close together. Thank you for being part of our extended family and for helping families like Emily’s find hope and comfort.

Ernesto’s Story – Darwin

When a family holiday means more than you could possibly imagine.

With the help of Ingenia Communities, a young family from Darwin was given the opportunity to reconnect as a family of four at Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island.

For the Valadares family, a holiday would have seemed unreachable during the last few months of Mum Isabel’s pregnancy when they were flown down to Melbourne for medical treatment at Royal Women’s Hospital. When baby Ernesto was born, he was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital for his first heart surgery, with a second scheduled once he was six months old.

Far from home and contending with long days in and out of the hospital, the family desperately needed to reconnect. Ingenia Communities gave the Valadares family the chance to swap their “bitter reality for a better one” with a peaceful getaway from the pressures of caring for a seriously ill child.

Not realising how much they missed listening to nature, star gazing, squishing their toes in the sand, running away from washed waves on the beach and snuggling up together on the couch, things we all take for granted, the family are forever thankful. 

During their stay, they were treated to sweet welcome gifts, an amazing lunch at the Phillip Island Winery, an exclusive penguin parade experience and above all, made to feel at home at a time when they needed it most.

Without the support of Ingenia Communities, RMHC wouldn’t have been able to make this possible for the Ernesto’s.

Artin’s Story – Parkville

At just four years old, Artin’s wonderfully infectious smile and happy-go-lucky personality make it hard to imagine the immense journey he has faced so far. This excitable, fun-loving little boy has had his body put to the test when receiving cardiac surgery.

Originating from Afghanistan, mum Marziya and dad Bostan, left their home country to set up a new life for themselves and their family. Calling South Australia home, this wonderful family’s life was thrown into turmoil when Artin’s health conditions worsened. The family rushed to Victoria where Artin was admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital and later underwent surgery for a heart transplant.

Being so far from home and with the severity of Artin’s condition, the family knew they would be in Melbourne for a long period of time – that’s where Ronald McDonald House Parkville came in.

“Staying at the House has saved us on the cost of staying in a hotel or other similar accommodation which we are very thankful for.” With the House being just a few minutes’ walk to the hospital, Marziya and Bostan had the peace of mind that support was always on hand for Artin, alleviating that element of concern.

After more than 380 nights at Ronald McDonald House Parkville, Artin and the family are familiar faces to many people in the House. Whether Artin is enjoying the fresh air in the play area, or Marziya is cooking up delicious meals in the communal kitchen, the family have been able to treat Ronald McDonald House Parkville like their home.

“We really enjoy talking to other families and to the staff and volunteers. We also enjoy cooking in the lovely kitchen at Ronald McDonald House Parkville.”

With Artin being only 4 years old, it’s unlikely he will retain many of the memories of the struggles he has faced at such a young age but for his parents Marziya and Bostan, this time in their lives is something they will never forget. However, thanks to Ronald McDonald House Parkville, they have had space to be together as a family in a safe and loving environment.

During a time of such stress and turmoil for families, it is the role of Ronald McDonald Houses to support and alleviate as many practical concerns as possible, allowing a family’s total focus to be their child. In the case of Artin’s family, their gratitude and appreciation for Ronald McDonald House Parkville only solidifies the purpose of the House and what it can offer a family in need. “The House has been very good to us, we are so grateful. The House itself is like a family.”

“Everyone at the House has been so kind to us, we love having their support.”

To support families like Artin’s, visit rmhc.org.au

Kobi’s Story – Grenfell

Two-year-old Kobi’s life took a drastic turn when his left eye began to turn a little red and bloodshot just before a family holiday. After a referral to an ophthalmologist, he was diagnosed with retinal blastoma and would need immediate surgery. About five days later, Kobi’s parents, Felicity and Renee, got the call to say that unfortunately, cancer cells were detected in his optic nerve, a direct line to the brain. The family had no time to waste, and at just 21 months old, Kobi began chemotherapy.

Living in the small town of Grenfell with baby brother Charlie, the logistics of travelling for Kobi’s treatment seemed daunting. That was until they learned that they could stay at Ronald McDonald House full-time, free of charge.

“It’s been an absolute lifeline, and we’ve been staying here ever since,” says Felicity. “To have our own little private space so close to the hospital is a godsend. It’s a straight walk across the road and through the gate. Renee can prepare home-cooked meals and run them over. It’s those little creature comforts, and seeing his family every day, that help make everything a little bit easier for him.”

Despite the end of treatment approaching, Kobi has come to see the House as home. “What the House does is really above and beyond, it’s not just accommodation,” adds Felicity.

To support families like Kobi’s, visit rmhc.org.au

The Davies Family – Frenchville

When Amanda’s water broke at just 25 weeks during her pregnancy with Maddison, Amanda and her husband Matt were flown 600 kilometres from their hometown in Rockhampton to Brisbane so she and Maddison could be monitored. Amanda and Matt spent eight weeks at Ronald McDonald House Herston, putting them just steps away from the hospital and the care they needed.

Ronald McDonald House has since become a home away from home for the Davies family, as they returned to monitor the pregnancies of Maddison’s younger siblings Alex and Ainsley, and for further treatment once they were born. Alex has a chromosome duplication as well as hypotonia and mild aspiration requiring thickened fluids. Born at just 31 weeks, Ainsley, the youngest member of the Davies family, has chronic lung disease, epilepsy and ongoing eye complications. Both Alex and Ainsley have endured a lot in their short lives with multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment. “Staying in Ronald McDonald House brightens our time away,” says Amanda. “We have the freedom of still being a family and the kids are able to play with other children.”

Whilst at Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane in 2018, Alex and Ainsley met Brisbane Broncos legend and Ronald McDonald House Ambassador, Matt Gillett, a friendship that continues. Alex keeps Matt up to date on his medical and football successes. Even during treatment, Alex said, “Matt Gillett would try hard, so I will too, Mummy”.

“Without Ronald McDonald House, I would hate to think how families like ours would survive,” Amanda says. To help more families like the Davies, donate at rmhc.org.au

You can show your support for Ronald McDonald House Australia by making a donation online ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au/donate

This article was produced with content supplied by Ronald McDonald House Australia. Be the first to see more online content by subscribing to the enewsletter below.

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