Our guest speaker Tuesday March 20th was Susan Adams, Fellow Rotarian and President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House of OKC. She provided some great information about a great charity that receives very little attention but provides a wonderful service to families who otherwise have to travel long distance between the hospital and home to keep up with the treatment of the sick or injured child.
Many families travel far from home and spend several weeks or months to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children – a long time to be away or to divide a family. And, for children facing a serious medical crisis, nothing seems scarier than not having mom and dad close by for love and support. A Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to call home so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little cost. Families are asked to donate at least $20.00 per night for staying at their facility.
By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, parents also can better communicate with their child’s medical team and keep up with complicated treatment plans when needed. They can also focus on the health of their child, rather than grocery shopping, cleaning or cooking meals.
Susan went on to express that at every house, families can enjoy: Home-cooked meals; Private bedrooms; Playrooms for children, and depending on the House, these services may also be 
available:Special suites for children with suppressed immune systems; Accredited education programs; Recreational activities; Non-clinical support services; and Sibling support services.
All of the services are through private 501(c)3 donations and donations received through the jars at each McDonalds Restaurant. More information can be obtained at www.rmhc-okc.org or by emailing Susan at sadams@rmhc-okc.org .
Pictured at right, Susan was introduced by Rotarian of the Day Koorosh Zahrai.