What Is A Ronald McDonald Family Room?
When families walk into a Ronald McDonald Family Room, we want them to forget they are in a hospital. Often steps away from the NICU, pediatric or other such intensive care unit, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms offer a place to rest and regroup right at the hospital, just moments away from their sick child. Research shows that staying close by allows parents to better communicate with their child’s medical team and improves adherence to complicated treatment plans. Currently there are 138 such Rooms in the US and 250 worldwide.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room at UAMS is a 2,000 sf Ronald McDonald House concept that serves families within the hospital. It includes:
  • Four sleeping rooms
  • Open concept kitchen - frozen meals and snacks provided
  • Living and dining areas with coffee/beverage station
  • Play area
  • Laundry facilities
  • Family bathroom with shower
This program helps families with a critically-ill baby in the NICU that also have an older child at home.  This space allows the whole family to stay intact during the stress of a hospitalization. 
“How do you care for toddlers in a NICU hospital setting? They pull cords and trip over machines—my 15-month old had the sliding glass door off the track 20 minutes after we arrived. Each day I had to make a choice: which child would receive my attention; my tiny sick baby or my 15-month old toddler? How do you choose between your children? With a Ronald McDonald Family Room steps away, families do not have to choose." 

~ Briana
A mother with a 15-month old toddler at home, a husband with a full-time job, and a baby born at 24-weeks, spent 122 days with her newborn in the NICU at UAMS.​
​“I was pregnant with twins and we lost our son. During the first few weeks of our daughter’s life, everything was overwhelming and every waking hour was wrought with fear. A Ronald McDonald Family Room allows parents to retreat from the constant dings, bells, and buzzes of their baby’s NICU room into a quiet space so they can be in the best position to make vital decisions and be present both mentally and physically for their babies.”

~ Erin
A mother with a full-time job, a husband who works out of town, and a baby born at 23 week who spent 128 days with her newborn in the NICU.
Each year, there are nearly 1,000 families like Briana's and Erin's who need a place of respite while staying by their child's side in the UAMS NICU.
Why is your help needed? Briana's personal story is why. 
Thanks to the generous funding of these donors to date and people like you.
Any donation you can provide will be greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, please contact Emily Piechocki at emily@rmhcarkansas.org or 501-978-3119.