RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ST LOUIS

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ST. LOUIS FULFILLS THEIR MISSION THROUGH THE OPERATION OF SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE FAMILY-CENTERED CARE, BRIDGE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE, ARE A VITAL PART OF THE HEALTH CARE CONTINUUM AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES DURING DIFFICULT TIMES. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS REPRESENT THE CORE FUNCTIONS:RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE:WHEN CHILDREN MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS TOP MEDICAL CARE, ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN BE EXPENSIVE OR NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO THEIR ILL OR INJURED CHILD THROUGH THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING, MEALS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL COMFORT AND INCREASES THE CAREGIVERS' ABILITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR CHILD, TO INTERACT WITH THEIR CLINICAL CARE TEAM AND TO PARTICIPATE IN CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE DECISIONS. A TOTAL OF 628 FAMILIES RECEIVED LOW OR NO-COST HOUSING DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025.RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM:WHEN A CHILD IS CRITICALLY ILL, PARENTS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO THEIR CHILD, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REST, HAVE A MEAL OR HAVE A MOMENT OF QUIET. LOCATED INSIDE MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM IN MERCY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, SSM HEALTH CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND ST. LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SERVE AS A PLACE OF RESPITE, RELAXATION, AND PRIVACY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, OFTEN JUST STEPS AWAY FROM WHERE THEIR CHILD IS BEING TREATED. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM PROVIDES PARENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILD AND TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE TEAM. THE FAMILY ROOMS SERVED 5,086 FAMILIES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025.