02 May Ronald McDonald Family Room Grand Opening
On Inova Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Unit.
This new RMFR meets families and kids where they are by extending our reach to multiple floors.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) at Inova Children’s Hospital expanded service to two Family Rooms in February 2018 and we celebrated with a Grand Opening on April 30th.
A Place to Rest and Regroup at the Hospital
When Diane and Bryce Heavner’s 12-year-old daughter, Kate, had to have a tumor removed from her spine, the family spent a stressful four days at Inova Children’s Hospital. Those first four days were traumatic and the family was grateful to find a peaceful haven when they needed a quick break: the Ronald McDonald Family Room.
“Finding the Ronald McDonald Family Room was such a blessing,” said Diane Heavner. “The room itself was a wonderful break for us to be able to escape for a few moments and grab some tea or a treat.”
Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are quiet, welcoming places of respite for parents and caregivers that provide such amenities as coffee, snacks, computer stations, and comfortable seating, in addition to being the hub for the Hospitality a la Carte that brings care and comfort to the bedside of patients on the floor.
“[The Ronald McDonald Family Room] took on an even more important dimension when we were here for Kate’s chemotherapy. She was hospitalized for days at a time, even longer,” said Heavner. “It was really nice to be able to go down to the 8th floor room and escape. I also can’t say enough about the volunteers…every time you would walk through the doors there was someone who was happy to see you, happy to try to help and make things better, a welcoming face.”
Expanding to Serve More Families
On Monday, Diane and Bryce joined representatives from Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC and Inova Children’s Hospital to celebrate the grand opening of a new Ronald McDonald Family Room on the Hematology/Oncology floor.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Inova Fairfax for 20 years, since we opened a Ronald McDonald House right here on the hospital campus in 1998. We are thrilled we could expand our relationship to include Ronald McDonald Family Rooms which help in our mission of easing the hardship of children’s illness on families and also further complement Inova’s family-centered approach to patient care.”
The new Ronald McDonald Family Room was made possible by a donation from Syed and Sadia Anderabi, who were in attendance with their family. The Anderabis manage four McDonald’s establishments in the State of Maryland and cite Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC as their passion.
Joining the new Ronald McDonald Family Room as a volunteer is Bryce Heavner.
“After our experience at Inova, I really wanted to give back,” said Bryce. “It means a lot to help families like we were helped; I love being able to interact with the families going through tough times and help create little moments where their day is brightened.”
