Message

  When a child becomes ill and receives treatment at a hospital far away from home, the family's life changes completely. The longer a child stays in a medical facility, the greater the financial, emotional, and physical burden on the family members who accompany or visit the child. In addition, families nowadays are smaller, and when their children become ill, they have fewer relatives to offer support that they may need. Furthermore, most pediatric inpatient facilities specialized in advanced medical care tend to be located in big cities, thus further increasing the burden on those who do not live there.
  An approach enabling and supporting parents and other family members to spend time with the sick child and become actively involved in the child's medical treatment and care is called Family-Centered Care. This approach is now emphasized in many pediatric hospitals, as they hope not only to treat the illness of children but also to respect the will of their families and provide them with the necessary care.
  To reach out to such families in need of support, we have Ronald McDonald Houses (RMH). RMH are more than just a place for families to stay. Most of RMH are located near hospitals, helping families spend a good amount of time with their sick children, so that those children do not feel alone even while in the hospital. Since local volunteers are involved in the operation of RMH, families can ask them and RMH staff whenever they need any help. In this way, RMH provide an environment where families can focus on accompanying and caring for their sick children while continuing to feel connected to society.
  In December 2023, we opened the Ronald McDonald Family Room, the first facility of its kind in Japan to support families accompanying their hospitalized children. It is a warm and welcoming space set up inside the hospital for families to relax, have a snack or take a break -- for a moment away from the medical space while still being close to their children. Creating an environment for families to give full attention to their children in as good a condition as possible will help to bring peace of mind and a smile on the faces of those children, while also empowering both children and their families to face the medical treatment with a positive mindset.
  We will continue to value this Family-Centered Care approach and strive for RMH's further development. Your continued support for RMHC Japan will be greatly appreciated.