A second home of hope: Ronald McDonald House brings comfort to families of sick children
Behind every child’s brave smile in a hospital ward lies an untold story of sleepless nights and quiet prayers.
Within the busy grounds of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM UKM), sits a house where warmth, compassion and community intertwine.
For many parents facing the uncertainties of their child’s illness, the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) is not just a roof over their heads; it is a sanctuary of hope, love and resilience.
RMH, an independent non-profit organisation is dedicated to creating, finding and supporting programmes that directly improve the health and well-being of children.
This mission comes to life through families like that of Nur Hazwani Harun, whose son Aisy Al-Amin battles chronic lung disease.
Behind every child’s brave smile in a hospital ward lies a story of sleepless nights and quiet prayers and for Hazwani, that once meant long, exhausting motorcycle rides from Gombak to Kuala Lumpur in pursuit of her son’s recovery.
“Before staying at the Ronald McDonald House, we had to travel back and forth every time Aisy needed treatment. Now, I can stay close to him without worrying about accommodation or travel costs.
“It truly felt like home, RMH is a place where I could stay close to Aisy,” Hazwani said.
Stories like Hazwani’s are at the heart of Ronald McDonald House, which provides a “second home” for families of paediatric patients. RMH offers a safe, affordable and fully equipped space for families to stay while their children undergo treatment.
Established in 1999, the three-storey bungalow is fitted with 18 bedrooms, a kitchen, dining hall, laundry area, prayer room, playground and even a small gym; everything designed to give families a sense of normalcy amidst hospital routines.
“Every time we visit RMH, we witness how compassion and care can form a small but strong community where families support one another. We believe that child patients need the emotional support of their families during treatment. Having their parents, especially their mothers and fathers, close by helps with the healing process.
“That is why we provide a safe and comfortable space for families within the hospital compound, so they can stay close to their loved ones,” RMHC Malaysia general manager Mohd Nasri Mohd Nordin said.
The foundation’s work is backed by research. According to the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), parental emotional support significantly reduces stress and anxiety in children undergoing treatment.
This sentiment is echoed by Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, UKM Children’s Specialist Hospital deputy director (Diagnostics and Health Sciences) Datin Dr Anita Sulong.
“The close relationship between parents and children during treatment not only provides emotional comfort for young patients but also supports overall recovery.
“We have seen first-hand how facilities like RMH positively impact the psychological well-being of families with paediatric patients,” she said.
At RMH, nearly 90 per cent of the children staying there are cancer patients, while others suffer from chronic illnesses that require prolonged hospitalisation. The accommodation, open to all families regardless of background or nationality, prioritises those from the B40 group and those living far from the Klang Valley.
Several of the rooms are fully sponsored by corporations and individuals, some for an entire year, whose names are displayed outside each room as a gesture of gratitude.
Each family’s stay varies depending on treatment needs. While some remain for weeks, others call the house home for years. The longest recorded stay has been five years, a poignant reminder that for many, this is the only home they have known during their child’s illness.
A father, Teruna Timpal, who travelled from Sepang, shared his relief after his daughter Nor Aliya Natasha was accepted into RMH.
“Before this, we had to take the train daily to HUKM. Staying here gave us peace of mind. We did not have to worry about the long journey and I could focus on being there for my daughter.
“Although my family’s stay was brief, it was a huge help during one of the most difficult moments of our lives,” he said.
Today, RMH HCTM UKM supports nearly 1,000 families each year, offering not just accommodation, but emotional refuge.
There are three other RMH across Malaysia; at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Hospital Tunku Azizah in Kuala Lumpur and the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital.
RMHC Malaysia, founded in 1990, has since expanded its initiatives beyond housing. Its four core programmes; the RMH, Ronald McDonald Sensory Room, Gift of Smile and Back-to-School Pack, have collectively benefitted more than 200,000 children nationwide.
Through public donations collected at McDonald’s outlets and contributions from corporate sponsors, the charity has raised over RM60 million to improve children’s health, education and welfare.
In the soft glow of the RMH, the clatter of dishes, laughter of children and the comforting presence of parents tell a story of community, a story where kindness bridges despair and hope. For families like Hazwani’s and Teruna’s, the house is more than just shelter. It is where courage lives, faith endures and love, in its purest form, finds a home.
For more information about RMHC Malaysia, visit https://rmhc-malaysia.my/.
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