Over the last 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) has supported millions of families with critically-ill children by providing family centered care programs that help them stay together and close by during an unimaginable time. Since 1974, the Charity has grown to support nearly 9 million people each year. Now through October 15, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is celebrating this milestone and inviting the community to join them and become part of a global storytelling movement.
Believing in the notion that nothing matters more than family, starting October 8, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is inviting individuals and businesses to share their RMHC stories and experiences on social media using #forRMHC and #Dallas. To inspire creative storytelling, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas encourages people to incorporate the iconic RMHC red and white stripes into their post as a visual symbol of support for all the families who have been touched by RMHC programs. The social media campaign will take place the week before the anniversary on October 15, which is designated as the RMHC Day of Change.
“This is an opportunity to connect people in our community with others from around the world who have this shared experience through RMHC,” says Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. “No one understands the emotional and physical stress RMHC families go through better than the families who have experienced it themselves, the volunteers who are there every day to support them and the donors who help ensure we can support as many of those parents and children as possible. This celebration is an incredible opportunity to come together and see the impact RMHC has around the world!”
One such family that the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has helped is the Hyland family from McGregor, Texas. Blake Hyland, 15, was nearly killed in a gymnastics accident on February 18, but has made a miraculous recovery. Blake experienced a critical head injury while attempting a new trick on the vault. Paramedics rushed him to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco for emergency surgery, and he was later transferred to Cook Children’s. Days after the accident, he was given 50/50 odds of survival. Blake not only survived, but he has endured a number of surgeries along with months of rehabilitation. During his recovery, Blake and his family were able to stay at Ronald McDonald House of Dallas where his incredible story and positive attitude have become an inspiration to many. Due to his hard work and determination, Blake has just recently tested at his grade level (9th grade) or higher in education. He also recently received the Stand Tall Award, inspired by Sony’s new film “When the Game Stands Tall.” NFL wide receiver Bethel Johnson, who earned two Super Bowl rings while with the New England Patriots, presented him the award in September at the House.
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas opened in 1981 and has served more than 34,000 families. Ronald McDonald Houses serve as a “home-away-from-home” at little to no cost for families with critically-ill children. The House keeps families together and close by their hospitalized child, while helping them balance the need for both privacy and social support.
To learn more about RMHD and its work to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families, visit www.rmhdallas.org, https://www.facebook.com/rmhdallas, https://twitter.com/RMHDallas