Ronald McDonald House Windsor – First location Within-A-Hospital Opens at Windsor Regional Hospital

Ronald McDonald House WindsorRonald McDonald House Windsor, the first ever Canadian Ronald McDonald House-Within-A-Hospital, celebrates its Grand Opening today. The House is located on the third floor of Windsor Regional Hospital, Met Campus and will provide caregivers with all the comforts of home, while keeping them just steps away from their hospitalized children.

The Grand Opening celebration brought together representatives from RMHC Canada, RMHC Southwestern Ontario, Windsor Regional Hospital and supporters for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the House. “RMHC Canada is delighted to welcome the first Ronald McDonald House in a hospital in Canada at Windsor Regional Hospital, said Cathy Loblaw, President & CEO, RMHC Canada. “Today, Ronald McDonald Houses in Canada serve over 20,000 families every year, and yet demand for RMHC family support continues. Last year over 3,000 families were waitlisted for RMHC, with 2,462 families turned away. Thanks to our newest House in Windsor we will be able to support more families during this time of need and healing for their sick child.”

Ronald McDonald House Windsor

The new House has seven bedrooms – five are full bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and twoare smaller bedrooms for shorter term stays. The space also contains a full kitchen and dining area, a laundry room, two family lounges and even a sunroom/lanai to bring some fresh air and sunlight into the House. The space was designed by local Windsor firm Architecttura and construction was done by Adine Builders.

“This is a great day for families in Windsor and Essex County for Windsor Regional Hospital to be the first hospital in Canada to bring in a full Ronald McDonald House. Thank you Ronald McDonald House Charities,” stated David Musyj, President and CEO, Windsor Regional Hospital. David further said, “To be the first house-within-a-hospital is a privilege and, meeting the needs of parents by providing them with a comfortable place to rest during a very difficult time is important and in keeping with our vision of Outstanding Care – No Exceptions. As we move forward towards a new state of the art acute care hospital the RHM is a glimpse on what is possible hospital wide and that we have to make a reality for generations to come”.

As the House opens to families on Monday, it will support those caregivers referred by the hospital whose children require longer term hospitalized stays. Within the next few weeks, RMH Windsor will also be operating a day pass program to provide support for those who may not need to stay at the House, but could use extra help with somewhere to nap, shower, do a load of laundry, have a quick snack, etc.

Ronald-McDonald-donations
Donor Appreciation Board inside the front door of the Windsor Ronald McDonald House

“Approximately 430 babies born at RMH Windsor each year need to stay in the NICU for an average of 13 days, “ said Margaret Anderson, Executive Director or RMHC Southwestern Ontario. “Knowing that we’ll be able to provide a home away from home for their families and the families of other seriously ill paediatric patients is just incredible. We are truly grateful to our founding and forever partners at McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada, Windsor Regional Hospital, and the entire Windsor community who have come together to make this House possible. “

Ronald McDonald House Windsor is the fifteenth Ronald McDonald House in Canada. RMHCSouthwestern Ontario also operates the Ronald McDonald House London – which is a huge support to families from Windsor-Essex as 26% of the families who stay in the London House are from the Windsor-Essex region.

Ronald McDonald House Windsor invites the community to tour the new House at public open houses this Saturday May 7 from 10-4 and Sunday May 8 from 12-4.

Feature photo from left: Percy Hatfield, MPP Windsor-Tecumseh; Ronald McDonald; Lisa Gretzky, Windsor West MPP; Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens; Cathy Loblaw, President & CEO, RMHC Canada; Brian Masse, Windsor West MP and Tracey Ramsay, Essex MP.

Lou-Anne Farrell, Bob Renaud, Ronald McDonald, Cathy Loblaw, Margaret Anderson.

Cathy Loblaw, Pres and CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Canada

Jaycie LeClair with her family describing their experience with the Ronald McDonald House

Photos and video by Joe McParland