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 One family’s misfortune became the good fortune for millions of families worldwide. In 1974, Kim Hill, 3-year-old daughter of Fred Hill, Philadelphia Eagles football player, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. During Kim’s three year treatment, Fred and his wife Fran camped out on hospital chairs and benches and ate makeshift meals out of vending machines. The Hills watched other parents around them doing the same thing. They learned many families traveled great distances to bring their children to the medical facility, but couldn’t afford hotel rooms. A Better Way The Hills began to think there had to be a solution. Fred rallied the support of his Eagles teammates to raise funds and help other families experiencing the same emotional and financial traumas as his own. Through Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager, the team offered its support to Dr. Audrey Evans, head of the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Evans dreamed of a home-like temporary residence for families of children being treated at her hospital. Together, they created the first Ronald McDonald House. That first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. By 1979, ten more Houses had opened. By 1984, McDonald’s restaurants and local communities founded 60 more Houses; then 53 more opened by 1989. Today, there are over 265 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. For more information regarding Ronald McDonald House Charities, visit www.rmhc.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California In addition to our House in Loma Linda, Southern California is home to several other Houses. Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House Orange County Ronald McDonald House Pasadena Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House Camp for Good Times in Idyllwild
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