Childhood Cancer Awareness Month at RMH-NY

Every September, the world unites for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor the bravery of children facing cancer, support the families walking beside them, and fuel the global movement toward better treatments and healthier tomorrows. The gold ribbon is more than a symbol—it’s a call to action. It asks each of us to recognize the urgent need for progress and to stand with pediatric patients everywhere.

At Ronald McDonald House New York, this month carries a profound meaning. Each day, we welcome children and families who travel from across the globe and every corner of New York City to receive treatment at world-class hospitals like Memorial Sloan Kettering. Here, families find more than a place to stay—they find compassionate care, emotional support, and family centered care that brings comfort during the hardest days.

This month, support RMH-NY families in the darkest moments of their lives and kids battling pediatric cancer.

For RMH-NY, September is a chance to shine a spotlight on the realities of pediatric cancer while rallying our community to make a difference. Every gift, every act of generosity, and every voice raised during this month helps close health disparities, advances health equity, and ensures no family faces cancer alone.

This September, join us in building a future where every child has the support they need to heal—and where families find hope, healing, and strength together.

Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Founding Board Member, Ronald McDonald House New York

Richard J. O’Reilly, MD, is an internationally recognized pioneer in bone marrow transplantation and a steadfast advocate for pediatric patients and families. As former Chair of Pediatrics and Chief of the Pediatric and Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering, he developed critical treatment breakthroughs, including transplantation protocols for patients without matched siblings and the advent of adoptive T-cell therapies. These advances laid the foundation for today’s CAR T-cell innovations and other transformative healthcare innovations.

At this year’s Ronald McDonald House New York Gala, Dr. O’Reilly will be honored with the Medicine Gives Hope Award, symbolizing his compassionate care, commitment to family-centered care, and lasting impact on health equity for pediatric patients.

A devoted member of the RMH-NY Board, he continues to champion holistic care and emotional support for children confronting serious illness.

Read Dr. O’Reilly’s story here.

Read all about Dimash and Balnur’s incredible journey across the world to RMH-NY. 

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, every action you take helps brighten the journey for children with pediatric cancer and their families at Ronald McDonald House New York. Whether it’s a post, a donation, or simply showing up in gold, your support spreads awareness, builds community, and reminds families they are never alone.

Pull out your gold gear and wear it proudly! Snap a photo, post it online, and tag 3 friends to keep the challenge going. Every tag creates a chain of kindness, turning one spark into a wave of support across the city.

Your gift—big or small—fuels compassionate care, family-centered programs, and holistic support for pediatric patients and their loved ones. Every donation creates comfort, relief, and joy when families need it most.

Turn your office into a powerhouse of hope! Use our Corporate Toolkit to host a fundraiser, start a matching gift program, or create a fun team event. Rallying your colleagues not only raises funds but also builds camaraderie while making a real difference for families in need.

Keep your eyes peeled for our Childhood Cancer Awareness Month billboard! Snap a selfie with it and share online. Every post helps raise awareness and spreads the message of strength, resilience, and community support for kids facing cancer.

Together, your posts, gifts, and actions create a powerful movement of hope. Every effort adds to a growing chorus of encouragement for families across New York City—showing them they have an entire community standing with them, every step of the way.

When eight-year-old Melanie was diagnosed with a brain tumor, her family traveled from South America to New York, unsure of what the future would hold. At Ronald McDonald House New York, they found more than a place to stay—they found community, compassion, and hope. From shared meals to lasting friendships, Melanie’s story shows how RMH-NY helps families face pediatric cancer together.

Read about Melanie’s journey and the power of family-centered care.

Thank you from all of us at Ronald McDonald House New York to everyone who supports our families this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Every gift, every hour, every act of kindness helps bring comfort, care, and hope to the kids and families we serve. We do this for them—and because of you, we can.

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