RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE BLUEGRASS INC

HOUSE PROGRAM - WHEN CHILDREN MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS TOP MEDICAL CARE, ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN BE EXPENSIVE OR NOT READILY AVAILABLE. RMHC OPENED IN 1984 AND HELPS FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO THEIR ILL OR INJURED CHILD THROUGH THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM LOCATED IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING, MEALS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO 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.

FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM - 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 WITHIN UK HEALTHCARE'S KENTUCKY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SERVES 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. CARE CARTS ARE A LOCAL PROGRAM OPERATED UNDER THE FAMILY ROOM UMBRELLA AND ARE STOCKED WITH SNACKS, TOYS, ACTIVITY BOOKS, AND SPECIALTY ITEMS FOR CHILDREN UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY AND OTHER SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS, ALL AT NO COST TO THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILY. CARE CARTS ALSO VIST PATIENT ROOMS WHOSE FAMILIES CAN NOT LEAVE THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE EVEN FOR A MOMENT SO THEY CAN RECEIVE THE NOURISHMENT AND CARE THEY NEED.