Annual Report 2024
Letter from Leadership
Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) has been a beacon of hope for more than 45 years, providing housing and support to families traveling to New York City for their child’s medical treatment. Inspired by the first House in Philadelphia, RMH-NY was established as the fourth Ronald McDonald House in the world and has become an integral part of the city’s pediatric hospital network.
Our journey began with a 24-room facility on East 86th Street and has since expanded to our current location on East 73rd Street, which houses 95 rooms, including innovative post-transplant suites. These suites have transformed our ability to support families, offering a home-away-from-home where they can be together, reducing isolation and providing everything they need right in their suite.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center has allowed us to focus on the well-being of caregivers, offering programs that support self-care and mitigate stress. Our Family Support Team works hand-in-hand with families throughout their medical journey, and our beloved therapy dog team brings joy and comfort to our young guests.
Letter from Leadership
This past year, we continued to expand our impact beyond the four walls of our House. We’ve strengthened our presence across New York City, addressing broader social and economic conditions that impact health. This includes opening Family Rooms in several boroughs, growing partnerships with community-based organizations, and broadening our donor base. With a presence at more hospitals throughout New York City than ever before, we aim to help even more vulnerable families.
We are especially grateful to partners like the Garden of Dreams Foundation, whose visionary support—rooted in inspiring joy, advancing education, and strengthening communities—amplified our impact and made possible the transformative Family Rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. These spaces now bring daily comfort and moments of respite to families where they need it most: within the hospital walls.
Our efforts to address the social determinants of health have never been more robust. We provide temporary housing, meals, transportation, peer-to-peer support, wellness services, and enriching activities that alleviate the burdens families face when dealing with a child’s illness. This year, we expanded our population health efforts, connecting with hundreds of community members through social needs screenings and essential services. This work strengthened our commitment to addressing the social determinants of health for families throughout New York City.
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue our growth and enhance our services to reach more families. The support from our community—our board, volunteers, donors, and staff—has been invaluable, and we are grateful for every contribution that has helped us make a lasting impact.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Ronald McDonald House New York. Together, we create a world where children with serious illnesses and their families have the resources they need to thrive.
Sincerely,
Family Support
RMH-NY has continuously lightened the load for families dealing with pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses, offering a nurturing home away from home while their children receive medical care at NYC hospitals. The heart of our mission lies in the compassionate circle of support extended by our Family Support team. This year, our dedicated team of licensed social workers and care coordinators played a vital role in helping families navigate New York City’s complex healthcare system and connect with the services and resources they need for better care.
They also help connect families with our advocacy groups, including RMH-NY alumni families who are eager to support those currently staying with us. As the eyes and ears of the House, especially during this time of growth, our Family Support team plays a crucial role in understanding families’ needs and making sure they get the right help and resources — both inside the House and in the communities we serve across the five boroughs.
INDIVIDUALS SERVED
TOTAL NIGHTS STAYED
RIDES PROVIDED
FAMILIES
COUNTRIES
STATES
FIRST TIME
FAMILIES
TERM OF
STAY
3 MONTHS
MOST FREQUENT
DIAGNOSES
TOP SOURCES
OF TREATMENT
- MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
- MOUNT SINAI
- MORGAN STANLEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
- NYU LANGONE HEALTH
- NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
New Family Rooms
This year marked a significant expansion of Ronald McDonald House New York’s supportive services with the addition of two new Family Rooms located within NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan and Montefiore Einstein. These rooms are thoughtfully designed to provide families with a tranquil sanctuary close to their hospitalized children, offering much-needed comfort during challenging times.
The Metropolitan Family Room, situated within the bustling outpatient waiting area, and the Family Room at Montefiore Einstein, each serve as a testament to our commitment to supporting vulnerable families in the heart of New York City. By creating these spaces, we not only provide a place for rest and respite but also facilitate easier access to medical consultations and procedures, reducing the logistical stress on families.
Powered by a landmark $500,000+ grant from the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the vibrant space at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan’s Pediatric Outpatient Clinic serves approximately 120 pediatric patients and 360 family members each day.
This space embodies the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s mission to deliver inspiration, joy, education, and community projects to families in crisis . Themed around the Knicks, Rangers, and iconic MSG venues, the rooms feature custom murals of sports legends and performers, plus reading nooks with 100+ donated books. It has hosted nearly 3,000 visits per month, offering respite, snacks, and activities led by RMH-NY staff and volunteers. Families describe it as “a welcoming escape” and “the best service ever.”
These Family Rooms represent more than just physical spaces; they are a hub of emotional and psychological support, helping families to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability amidst health crises. The availability of these rooms allows families to regroup, relax, and find peace, knowing they are just steps away from their loved ones.
As we continue to extend our reach across New York City, these Family Rooms are crucial in our mission to enhance the well-being of families facing medical adversity. They exemplify our dedication to not just meet, but exceed the needs of the communities we serve, ensuring that every family has access to compassionate care and support in times of need.
Family Room Visits
Non-Unique
POPULATION HEALTH
In 2024, our Population Health Team expanded its reach beyond the House’s walls, connecting with 865 low-income community members and addressing the social and economic factors that shape their health. We completed social needs screenings to identify urgent needs like housing and food, and made 443 referrals to community partners. In total, we delivered over a thousand essential services, including transportation assistance and help navigating primary care. These efforts strengthened our commitment to holistic care and family well-being across the five boroughs.
865
593
443
47,950
1,161 SERVICES
DELIVERED IN TOTAL
These outcomes reflect the growing impact of our population health work and highlight the importance of addressing the social determinants of health alongside medical care. By supporting families in every aspect of their journey, we’re creating a foundation for better health and brighter futures.
COMMUNITY HEALTH FOOTPRINT
2025 Patient Profile
Medicaid-Only: 60%
(Up from 35% in 2021)
(EOY 2025 Goal – 62%)
Private and Other: 29%
(Down from 38% in 2021)
(EOY 2025 Goal – 19%)
Volunteers
In 2024, our volunteers continued to embody the spirit of dedication and innovation to support the House. Their efforts ranged from organizing unique fundraisers, actively participating in community-wide events, serving meals, and bringing our Family Rooms and hospital spaces to life. Their passion and commitment have been instrumental in enhancing our community outreach and ensuring families have the support they need.
88
10,347
8,110
84,825
Wellness
We are dedicated to creating an environment that nurtures healing, community, and overall well-being for the families we support. Our Wellness Services take a holistic approach to help families navigate difficult times with strength and resilience.
Located on the 11th floor, the Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center offers a range of rejuvenating services tailored for caregivers. Led by a skilled team of professionals and compassionate volunteers, the center provides essential moments of relaxation — from restorative sessions to interactive wellness workshops — available both in-person and remotely each week. More than a place to unwind, the Wellness Center is a sanctuary where caregivers can recharge, find comfort, and gain the strength and clarity they need to continue providing loving, supportive care for their children.
Programs
This year, we expanded and improved our children and enrichment programs both for families at the House, and in partner hospitals. Alongside enhancing our in-person events and expanding the Hospitality Cart program to include seven carts citywide, we celebrated the return of the “Great Days” program, rejuvenating spirits and fostering joy for our families. This cherished initiative resumed with a lineup of memorable excursions, allowing patients, siblings, and caregivers to take a break from the clinical environment and immerse themselves in the vibrant experiences of New York City and beyond.
Highlights this year included enriching visits to the Central Park Zoo, kayaking on the Hudson, afternoons crafting, and special movie screenings! These activities not only provide a respite from hospital routines but also cultivate long-lasting, joyful memories for all family members.
7,427
1,543
2,063
263
2,020
445
32
15%
7,492
Family Stories
The Malena family, hailing from the Dominican Republic, found themselves at Ronald McDonald House New York when their son, Daniel, required treatment for Bilateral Wilms Tumor, a condition beyond the medical capabilities of their home country. In 2018, they embarked on a hopeful journey to New York City, where Daniel’s medical needs took center stage. During their stay, the family adapted to a new routine, finding moments of joy and normalcy in the midst of medical challenges, supported by the communal environment they found themselves in. This nurturing environment allowed the family to focus on Daniel’s recovery while forming lasting bonds with others facing similar challenges.
Abdiel is a joyful two-year-old from the Dominican Republic whose life has been intertwined with medical challenges, including a critical liver transplant. Despite frequent hospitalizations from a young age, Abdiel’s spirited approach turns every situation into an opportunity for play, engaging everyone around him as play partners. His resilience transforms routine hospital visits into adventures, exemplifying the power of play to bring joy and normalcy amidst adversity.
When Dimitris was unexpectedly diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Mother’s Day, his family was suddenly thrown into a medical crisis that required immediate action and a relocation to New York for treatment. His mother, Melissa, took the lead— first navigating hospitals and travel logistics, all while trying to remain strong for Dimitris. The stress of being in an unfamiliar city without the full support of her family lifted when a hospital social worker connected her to Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY), where she finally felt a sense of relief. The House provided more than shelter; it offered meals, transportation to and from the hospital, emotional support, and spaces for her children to feel like kids again. Dimitris looked forward to the playroom, while his brother quickly made it his second home. Melissa found peace in the Wellness Center, a quiet space where she could reflect and regroup. With her whole family eventually reunited under one roof, RMH-NY became a crucial foundation in their journey—a place that restored a sense of normalcy during a time filled with fear, change, and uncertainty.
Community Highlights
Smarts4Heart, an organization created by high school senior Amelia Camilleri, employs local high schoolers looking to make a little extra money and pairs them will families in the community with younger kids in need of tutoring and babysitting services.
Every year as the trees begin to regain their leaves, the earth’s natural color starts to come back to life, and all of that bewildering winter worry begins to melt away, Ronald McDonald House New York get a visit from a very special friend.
MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — Some former pro hockey players took to the ice Tuesday night to help raise money for kids fighting cancer, in a lesson that goes far beyond skating and playing hockey.
Small, a French-American student at the Lycée Français de New York, regaled 60 diners as the acting executive chef of East Harlem’s Tastings NYC Saturday, a “Youth to Youth” dinner to raise money for the sick children at the Ronald McDonald House-New York.
It’s childhood cancer awareness month. and Ronald McDonald House New York is spreading awareness through its annual block party.
≈NY1’s Last Call offered an exclusive look at Miracle on 73rd Street, Ronald McDonald House New York’s beloved holiday celebration. Families, volunteers, and supporters gathered for a night filled with joy, hope, and community, shining a light on the resilience of those facing pediatric cancer and life-threatening illnesses.
