History

Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco

The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco was inspired by baby Simon Nagel Gold, who passed away from a cardiac condition after four weeks in the intensive care nursery at Mt. Zion Medical Center.

As a tribute to their son, and to help ease the burden of families faced with similar circumstances, Simon’s parents enlisted support from medical professionals, friends in the community and local McDonald’s owners to build the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco. The Bay Area community rallied in support and the Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco opened its door to families on January 26, 1989.

How it all began – The First Ronald McDonald House

It all began in Philadelphia in 1974 when 3-year-old Kim Hill, the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill and his wife, Fran, was being treated for leukemia at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

During Kim’s three years of treatment, the Hills often camped out on hospital chairs and benches and ate makeshift meals out of vending machines, while they watched other parents doing the same thing. They learned that many of the families traveled great distances to bring their children to the medical facility but couldn’t afford hotel rooms.

The Hill’s knew that there had to be a solution. Fred rallied the support of his Eagles teammates to raise funds. Through Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager, the team offered its support to the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Hospital staff shared their dream of a comfortable temporary residence for families of children being treated at their hospital.

Murray enlisted the local McDonald’s advertising agency, who with the support of the McDonald’s Regional Manager , launched the St. Patrick’s Day Green Milkshake (now known as the Shamrock Shake) promotion. Funds raised went toward purchasing an old house located near the hospital.

And thus, the first Ronald McDonald House came to be in Philadelphia in 1974 – a “home away from home” for families of ill children. The network of Houses quickly grew after that and today there are more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses located in over 30 countries and regions world-wide. 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.