For the families of critically ill children like little Samuel Beasy, staying close by at Ronald McDonald House while their child is in hospital makes all the difference. Born prematurely at just 27 weeks, Samuel spent the first 14 weeks of his life in the Neonatal Care Unit with low oxygen levels, slow growth and a bilateral hernia, and required constant care to assist with his Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease.
Throughout this time, Ronald McDonald House Herston became home for Samuel’s parents, Amy and Nathan, older sisters Eloise and Lilly, and Samuel’s Grandma.
“Having a room where I could have my whole family with me was just amazing,” said Amy.
“Having Ronald McDonald House meant that we could be close to Samuel, which was huge for me as leaving him at the hospital was already so emotionally hard for me.”
For Amy and Nathan, this wasn’t their first experience with RMHC SEQ. When Samuel’s older sister Lilly required emergency treatment at just 6 weeks old, the family were able to stay close by at the Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane.
“We want to thank Ronald McDonald House for giving love to our family. Not only in providing a place to stay, but for the meals, the sweet treats, smiles, friendliness and for always helping in any possible way they could,” Amy said.
“The staff always felt like family while I was there, and I will always remember their kindness and care.”
Ronald McDonald House continues to be a home away from home for the family while Samuel continues to require regular follow up treatment for chronic lung disease.
For over 10 years, Transurban has supported RMHC SEQ, raising over $2 million for the charity. Over the past five years, Transurban’s fundraising efforts have fully covered the cost of the Ronald McDonald House within the Queensland Children’s Hospital, providing emergency accommodation for families of children who are inpatients at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
On Sunday 15 October, over 250 members of Team Transurban will be out in force once again, racing over the Gateway Bridge in support of RMHC SEQ.