In healthcare today, more attention than ever is being paid to the social determinants of health (SDoH)—the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These include where a family lives, what they eat, their economic situation, access to education and transportation, and the strength of their social support systems.

Brianna Cano, Catering Director at Rcano Events and Board of Associates member at RMH-NY, has made volunteerism an integral part of her professional and personal life. Her connection to Ronald McDonald Houses began early:

When Alina began her graduate thesis in architecture, she brought more than drafting pencils and design models to the table. She carried the weight of her own childhood — years defined by treatment for neuroblastoma, long stays at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital (MSK), and a second home at Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY).

When a child’s health is at stake, every decision feels monumental, every day carries uncertainty, and every moment away from home is fraught with emotional weight. For Neisha and her 11-month-old son, Azaire, this reality began on the serene Caribbean island of Grenada and unfolded across the bustling streets of New York City.

When Grace Johnson arrived at Ronald McDonald House New York one summer evening with her baby girl, Gracie Rose, it wasn’t just a visit. It was a moment that tied together months of phone calls, late-night worries, and a growing trust between two women on very different journeys.

At Ronald McDonald House New York, we witness how a diagnosis can completely alter a family's life overnight. For Christopher Jackson, this change arrived on an autumn day when school, soccer, and ordinary teenage plans were abruptly interrupted by an extraordinary test of endurance.

For Allysar, Drew, and their daughter Ayda, the reality of pediatric cancer arrived abruptly, bringing fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty into their home in Florida. As they navigated Ayda’s major surgical needs, and recovery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, one constant provided a rare and profound comfort: Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY)

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time to honor the resilience of young patients and the families who navigate pediatric cancer, while also recognizing the staff, volunteers, and donors who help ease those journeys.

While each child’s story at Ronald McDonald House New York may begin with a diagnosis, what unfolds inside the House is a much more joyful truth for these kids: educational opportunity, growth resilience, and deeply personal victories shaped by holistic care—and the unwavering support of the educators and families who stand beside them.