Part of PharmaSUG is giving something back to the community in which our conference is being held. In recent years, we have joined with the Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado, the graduate program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in their efforts to cure cancer..

This year, PharmaSUG is partnering with the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House to support families with seriously ill children who travel to Philadelphia for world-class pediatric care. Some families will stay for a few days and others will stay for many months – your generosity helps make those stays possible.

Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House – Keeping Families Close®

Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House first opened its doors in 1974 as the first Ronald McDonald House in the world and continues its mission today to support families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope.

How does Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House support families?

Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (PRMH) operates two Houses in West and North Philadelphia. The Chestnut Street House is located in a historic mansion which was expanded in 1995 and again in 2019 with the addition of the Jill and Alan B. Miller Tower – more than doubling its capacity (watch the video). This House will accommodate 127 families nightly by mid-2019. A second House opened in 2008 at the corner of Front Street and Erie Avenue, and accommodates 20 families each night.

These Houses provide temporary lodging, transportation, meals, and social services to families with seriously ill children who travel to Philadelphia for pediatric care. PRMH aims to increase families' access to treatment, ensuring that the expense of lodging for treatment is not a barrier to care; reduce financial burdens experienced by families traveling for their seriously ill children’s treatment; help meet the basic needs of families so that they focus on their children’s care; enable families to maintain their own well-being and reduce their stress levels through the provision of holistic psychosocial support; and help families maintain a sense of normalcy for the duration of their treatment.

How does McDonald’s Help?

McDonald’s played a vital role at the beginning of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House when it opened on October 15, 1974. Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and local McDonald’s owner/operators remain committed to supporting our programs. Proceeds from donations made at local McDonald’s restaurants make up approximately 10% of our annual revenue, with the remaining 90% generated through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations.

How Can YOU Help?

It costs $148 a night per family to provide the housing and other supportive services the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House offers; however, families are only asked to contribute an optional nominal fee of $15 per night. A pediatric diagnosis and the accompanying treatment causes great financial stress on families so no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. PRMH waives approximately half of these nightly fees annually. Your contribution helps cover the costs of keeping a family together during difficult times.