Ronald McDonald House New York to Host 28th Annual Gala Virtually

Online celebration will raise critical funds to support families in the fight against pediatric cancer;  Event to feature a warm welcome from Amy Poehler, a heartfelt tribute by Liam Neeson, special performance by Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, celebrity messages & more

NEW YORK, October 29, 2020 – Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) will host its 28th Annual Gala virtually on November 16 at 7:00 PM, which will raise critical funds to advance its mission of providing temporary housing, care and support for pediatric cancer patients and their families. This year’s event will honor several New York City leaders for going above and beyond to support RMH-NY and its families, and will also feature a special performance, celebrity messages, and more. 

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we come together to support our families and ensure a maintained sense of normalcy as they fight against pediatric cancer,” said Ruth C. Browne, president and CEO of RMH-NY. “We are committed to providing support and comfort to families dealing with their child’s devastating cancer diagnosis, so that they can focus on receiving life-saving treatment. The funds from our gala will enable us to continue helping families from around the world by keeping them close to each other and the treatment they need.” 

During the program – which will be live streamed on ABC 7 New York’s website – acclaimed actor Liam Neeson will pay tribute to families who have stayed at the House as their children battled cancer. 

Following the tribute, the 2020 Legacy Award will be presented to Dr. Richard O’Reilly, Claire L. Tow chair in pediatric oncology research of Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) and RMH-NY founding board member, for his outstanding impact at MSK.

This year’s gala will also honor David Preiser, co-president of Houlihan Lokey, Daniel S. Glaser, president & CEO of Marsh & McLennan Companies, and Kevin Kelley, executive advisor of Aquiline, for their contributions and ongoing commitment to the House. 

Throughout the evening guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a performance by Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, as well as special messages by celebrity guests including Amy Poehler, Wayne Brady, Taylor Kitsch, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, William Moseley, Santino Fontana, Mauricio Martínez, ESPN Anchor and Host Mike Greenberg, NBC New York News Anchor Chuck Scarborough, and more. 

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, RMH-NY continued to support families in their fight against pediatric cancer by transitioning its services and implementing new procedures and precautions in order to ensure the health and safety of families and employees at the House. 

During this time, RMH-NY has been providing meals and activities directly to families’ rooms, virtual programming, online support groups, transportation to and from treatment, and more, with staff working around-the-clock to meet the needs of each individual family. The House has also continued to provide support to its partnering hospitals across the five boroughs by assembling and delivering special wellness packages to show appreciation for healthcare workers and their dedication to patients.

To register for RMH-NY’s 28th Annual Gala, please visit: https://www.rmh-newyork.org/annualgala/index.html. The gala will be available for viewing on ABC 7 New York’s website and on the ABC app, as well as across all ABC plugins on Apple TV, Roku and Android TV.

About Ronald McDonald House New York

Located on East 73rd Street in New York, Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) is New York City’s House. The organization provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment that encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. RMH-NY has served more than 59,000 families throughout all five boroughs of New York City, across the U.S. and around the world, and approximately 40% of families are international. Its 11-story, 79,000 square-foot House features 95 guestrooms – including six post-transplant suites – four full guest kitchens, laundry facilities, two outdoor terraces, private libraries, a dining room, living room and more. At the House, families are welcomed with love and comfort, and lifelong friendships are formed among people who understand what it’s like to cope with such a devastating diagnosis. RMH-NY’s programs help to provide families a sense of normalcy, including wellness programs, educational tutors, music, art, transportation, activities for siblings, holiday and birthday parties, specialized support groups and more. The organization’s presence extends well beyond the confines of the House, as RMH-NY is also committed to positively impacting communities across the five boroughs. Through partnerships with 16 of the city’s leading hospitals, RMH-NY provides critical services to families with children undergoing cancer treatment at these hospitals. For more information, or to learn how to volunteer or donate, please visit rmh-newyork.org.