Medical advancements have increased hospital stays for some children, which has boosted demand for Ronald McDonald House services throughout the state. The 78-room house in Cincinnati recently set a limit of two years for stays after being forced to turn away more families than it helped this year through August, the first time that has happened. Houses in Akron, Cleveland and Toledo have also reported increases in demand.
Dayton’s house, which opened in 1980 as just the 14th nationally (there are now more than 300 globally) and was rebuilt in 1998 in a new location, has twice this year set a record for the longest stay, including one family still in residence that began its stay in April. Cyr and other board members said they would like to look into expansion, perhaps as much as double the current size (14 rooms).
“We do know we need to grow,” Cyr said. “Obviously turning away (60 percent of families served) is not what we want to be doing.”
The Dayton house will hold a radiothon today as part of its usual fundraising cycle for operations. The radiothon, broadcast on WMMX-FM (107.7), hopes to raise $50,000, and those interested can listen or call 535-2273 for donation options.
Those funds will be part of the charity’s expenses that reach about $1 million annually. The local charity also operates a grant program from a separate fund, as Ronald McDonald House charities throughout the country have expanded to provide more to communities than just house accommodations.
The physical house remains the main face of the charity. It helps parents like Kimberly Curtis, who sat at a library table in the house on Wednesday and described her stay that began shortly after the turbulent birth of her first child, Noah. Complications have caused an extended stay at Dayton Children’s for Noah, who was born Aug. 16. Curtis, who lives near Wilmington, checked into the Ronald McDonald House on Aug. 18. Her husband, David, also has stayed at the house.
Officials said they reevaluate occupancy each day and sort demand based on distance from home and seriousness of the child’s situation. Asked what would happen if the Ronald McDonald House were not available, Curtis said, “I would sleep by his bedside.”
The Ronald McDonald House has changed staffing levels and offerings to try to help as many families as possible. Instead of a full-time staff member on site who also sleeps there, there is an awake staff member available 24 hours per day. The house also offers “day guest” options, including use of house facilities outside of the sleeping quarters.
Officials said they do whatever possible to help families they can’t accommodate with a room.
“You could buy somebody a hotel room, but it just wouldn’t be the same,” said Al Herzog, treasurer of the local Ronald McDonald House charity board of trustees who also owns four McDonald’s franchises in the area.
In part, that’s because parents are considered a crucial part of care for babies and children. At Dayton Children’s, parents have 24-hour access to their children.
For many, that has included longer stays because of new treatments or medical advances. Dayton Children’s, for instance, has begun offering Cool Cap treatments for infants meant to ease the danger of cerebral palsy for those who have suffered a traumatic birth. Other treatments have extended lives, creating more need for parents to stay longer.
“Our parents are not visitors, they are part of the process,” said Cindy Burger, director of critical care and emergency trauma services at Dayton Children’s and a Ronald McDonald House board member. “Our care for (the parents) is as important as our care for the child.”
The parents often find a support community within the Ronald McDonald House, and officials hope they can continue finding ways to serve as many of them as possible during a draining time.
“Usually we say to our families, ‘We’re sorry you’re here, but we hope we don’t have to see you again,’ ” Cyr said.
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