History

How We Started

The idea for a Ronald McDonald House began in Philadelphia in 1973, when Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, learned that his three year old daughter, Kim, had leukemia. The Eagles organized fundraising efforts to assist Kim's, as well as other children's, fight against leukemia. During the course of these efforts, the idea of a 'home-away-from-home' where out-of-town families could stay during their child's hospital treatment, was born.

Why Ronald McDonald?

The Eagles enlisted the help of their local McDonald's restaurants to raise money for the first-ever house. In 1974, the Philadelphia House opened bearing the name of McDonald's happy clown, Ronald McDonald. Today, there are over 200 Ronald McDonald Houses in 19 countries, all serving the needs of families during their child's hospitalization. Each House is independently owned and operated. McDonald's is only one of many generous donors, so community-wide support is the essential ingredient for each House.

The Iowa City House

The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City, opened in 1985, has been a "home away from home" for over 58,790 family members from all 99 Iowa Counties, all 50 states, and 55 foreign countries. Since opening, the House has grown in capacity from 15 rooms to the current capacity of 31 rooms following the House expansion in 1999.