Grand Opening
After breaking ground in 2013, we continued to fundraise throughout Central Florida to raise money for our third House. After years of our capital campaign to raise $7 million, three years of construction, and countless hours of planning and preparation, we officially opened the doors to our House on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health on August 11, 2016. On the day of opening, President/CEO, Lou Ann DeVoogd, stated “Today is a milestone for Ronald McDonald House of Central Florida, and our community. We joined the ranks of just five other communities with three Ronald McDonald Houses ®.”
Today is a milestone for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, and for our community. We joined the ranks of just five other communities with three Ronald McDonald Houses.
Third Floor Expansion
On August 22, 2018 RMHCCF received exciting news that would bring a third floor expansion plan closer to reality. AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, announced a donation of $100 million dollars that would be used to build and/or expand 32 Ronald McDonald House chapters across the country. RMHCCF received $1.38 million from AbbVie that helped finish construction on the third floor of our RMH at Nemours Children’s Health.
Art Initiative
The Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Hospital incorporates original works of art in the bedroom suites and public spaces that have been created by local artists. Artists collaborated with philanthropists who contributed to the capital campaign to underwrite areas in the House for inspiration in creating one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
The Callais Family
Camille has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 2, which is a progressive degenerative neuromuscular disease. She is not expected to ever stand or walk, pending further progression with treatment.
Her parents say the diagnosis changed their family’s life.
“It’s completely opposite of everything you think and dream for your child before diagnosis. It rocks your world initially, but then you figure out that you and your child can still live life to the fullest, it just might look a little different.” —Brandon Callais
Camille, her parents and their 1-year-old son Jude have travelled to Orlando six times in the past year from their home in Louisiana to receive treatment at Nemours Children’s Health. Their doctor, Dr. Richard Finkel, is a SMA specialist and the first to receive the only FDA approved treatment for SMA.
The Callais Family learned about Ronald McDonald House through another former RMH family and through their doctor’s office. They say the House was exactly what they needed.
