In 1978, the Ronald McDonald House© New York opened its doors for the first time, offering families with children battling cancer a temporary place to stay during their child’s treatment. Since then, over 35,000 families have found shelter at the red brick building on East 73rd Street in Manhattan. A child’s cancer diagnosis can turn a family upside down, but the Ronald McDonald House New York works steadfastly to make the families who stay there feel loved and comforted throughout the process. In close proximity to 16 major cancer treatment centers, the Ronald McDonald House New York gives out-of-town families lodging and support during one of the most difficult times of their lives. The staff welcomes people from across the country and around the globe who travel to New York for their children to undergo lifesaving treatment. They are committed to doing whatever they can to make the child feel like a kid first, and a patient second. It’s a strong, supportive environment that stands as a support system for both the children undergoing treatment and their families. Now, with a two-year, $23.6 million renovation and expansion project completed, even more families seeking pediatric cancer care will be welcomed and cared for. Eleven new family units have been added, upping the capacity for housing families to 95. This makes the Ronald McDonald House New York the largest and most diverse facility of its kind in the world. The state-of-the-art improvement at the House also includes six new suites specifically designed for families with children who recently received a bone marrow transplant, who have to stay in relative isolation for up to three months. “The expansion of our facility here is a cause for celebration for all New Yorkers,” said Ruth C. Browne, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York. “We're proud that we can offer a loving environment and specialized resources for even more patients and help keep families together during this incredibly challenging period of their lives. The commitment and support of our staff, board, volunteers, many stakeholders and partners, and the New York community has been invaluable in getting us to this point as we re-open the expanded Ronald McDonald House New York.” The expansion means new and broader programs to help families and children feel at home. This includes a re-imagined and re-opened Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center. Located in a new rooftop atrium, the center will focus on the health and wellness of both caregivers and patients. Here, the caregivers and patients can receive a well-deserved night of spa treatments from local health and wellness practitioners who generously donate their time and talent. The services offered at the Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center are just the beginning of the many programs offered by the Ronald McDonald House New York. There is an extensive lineup of activities and events that can give the gift of normalcy to children and families, and all are free of charge, thanks to the generous support of donors. With Music Education with New York Pops, children can discover and develop the creative musical voices they never knew they had. Learning basic skills and music theory, the resident children can take piano, voice, guitar, bass, and drum lessons. Regular participants in the weekly classes even formed a house band and chorus that recorded an original song entitled, “I Will Always Be There.” There’s also a program called Weird Science, where children build rockets, make exploding volcanoes, build electrical currents, and more. The kids love getting their hands dirty, and it’s so unexpected, fun, and creative, they forget that they’re learning. For kids who love to learn and hate falling behind in school while they receive their treatment, there’s an after-school tutoring program. Another favorite is the Ronald McDonald House New York Therapy Dog programs. Since the start of this program, children and parents have been drawn to the lobby to play with the dogs and meet their handlers. The program offers therapy dogs who can help patients and their families in many ways. Not only can they motivate the patients, they can also provide support for the grief, loss, and stress that patients, family members, and staff can feel. Coming back to a loving pet can make a stay at the Ronald McDonald House New York feel just like home. With the expansion, the Ronald McDonald House New York is better equipped than ever to support even more families during an emotionally challenging time. Their services steady the complicated and overwhelming process that begins when arriving in New York for care. For just $35 dollars a night—a small fraction of what it costs to stay anywhere else in New York—a child and their family find the comfort and help they need. If you would like to give to this extraordinary organization, learn more at www.rmh-newyork.org/ways-to-give.