History

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974 as the result of the perseverance and dedication of Fred Hill, then a Philadelphia Eagles football player. After his daughter Kim, was treated for leukemia at the local children’s hospital, Hill became determined to help other families faced with the same situation. At the time, there were very few institutions/organizations who provided sufficient accommodations for such families with hospitalized children. Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital, suggested that a "home away from home" was needed. Hill enlisted the help of his teammates and the local McDonald’s restaurant franchises to raise funds to purchase and renovate the first House.

Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.^® (nationally) has over 269 affiliate Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries. All told, more than 3,000 bedrooms are available for families every night. RMHC-Norfolk provides 17 of those 3,000 plus bedrooms.