by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
There is a sanctuary in Jacksonville nestled between two looming buildings that house some of the most renowned pediatric doctors in the world. This sanctuary is the Ronald McDonald House, and it is making room for more families in need of a place to stay during their time of need.
The new Ronald McDonald House has been in use since November 2001. With 20 rooms, it has been a “home away from home” for those families seeking housing while their child is receiving extensive care from one of the many regional hospitals located in downtown Jacksonville.
The house was originally built with a third floor shell that has remained unfinished and unoccupied. According to Joy Hardaker, executive director of Ronald McDonald House, the third floor will be completed and ready for residents as early as this spring. The decision to finish renovations on the house was made due to the increased occupancy in the house and the arrival of more pediatric cardiovascular surgeons, oncologists and neurologists to the area.
“We have really been encouraged by medical professionals, as well as our own board of directors, to go ahead and open the third floor,” said Hardaker.
The use of the third floor will be a welcome addition to the house, because over 900 families took advantage of the facilities in 2003. The house has an average 80 percent occupancy rate, which is considered full by hospital standards.
“There is normally a gap in occupancy, because we don’t know when a family is going to check in, and we don’t know when a child is going to be discharged from the hospital,” said Hardaker. “We are full many nights, but it’s less than 100 percent when you average it out.”
The house is open to families who have a child 18 years old or younger who is being treated in a local medical facility. The house does not take reservations. In order to stay at the residence, occupants must be referred by a doctor, nurse or hospital social service worker.
Amenities include 20 guest rooms with private baths. There are also four “clean” rooms for transplant children. There is a large, double kitchen with a stocked pantry where volunteers prepare dinners donated to the house almost every night of the year. Laundry facilities are available to families as well as a business center, support programs and after-dinner activities that include crafts and bingo.
Jacksonville’s house also has a volunteer named Anita. She is a trained dog that “provides love to families” five days a week. Hardaker said the canine’s presence makes it easier for families who have pets to feel more at home. Anita is just one of the support programs offered in addition to the programs provided for the parents and siblings of a sick child.
“We want it to be easy to spend your time with your family,” said Hardaker. “We want families to stay here because of the support they get. It makes it a lot easier to cope.”
The average stay for a family at the Ronald McDonald house is six days, although guidelines say that families are welcome to stay up to 60 days. Exceptions are made for those children undergoing bone marrow transplants and recovery.
“After 60 days, we usually ask a family to return home, get their mail, check in with their jobs and then come back,” said Hardaker. “We just want a family to realize that there is a life separate from their child’s illness, and it’s healthy for it to return to normal.”