A home-away-from-home for pediatric cancer patients and their families
Ronald McDonald House New York (the “House”) was created to offer a comfortable, safe, and supportive place to live while children undergo cancer therapy. This page outlines services and amenities as well as House procedures and acceptable behavior. All guests are required to abide by our rules and regulations during their stay.
Tips for Your Stay
Arrival and Departure
Reservations
Only your hospital social worker can request, extend, or amend your reservation at the House. Accompanying guest(s) must be cleared by your hospital social worker before being added to guest reservations. Unexpected guests will not be allowed to stay at our facility. For further inquiries regarding reservations, please email family@rmh-newyork.org.
Airport, Public Transit and Parking
We are accessible from three major airports: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - directions, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - directions, and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - directions. The closest airport is the LaGuardia Airport.
Multiple taxi and ride sharing services are available in New York City including Uber and Lyft. Public transit is also available.
Parking is not provided but several parking garages are available near by at varying rates. Free street parking is also available as well but is subjected to certain rules and open spots may be difficult to find.
Check-in
Guests 18 and over must provide photo ID at check-in. Only 2 room keys will be given out per room and only given to those 18 and older. All patients must have an accompanying caregiver 18 and over, regardless of the patient’s age. House ID badges will be provided upon registration and must be worn.
During Your Stay
Our private bedrooms are equipped with two twin beds, a full-sized pull-out couch, a dresser, a closet, and a full private bathroom.
We provide access to kitchens, computer lab, a playroom, wellness center, laundry facilities, tutoring, complimentary wi-fi, family support services & serenity space, and transportation to and from hospitals. There is no free parking on site but many parking garage options nearby.
Enjoy our common area spaces host many activities in the Macy’s Living Room, Blavatnik Family Foundation Wellness Center, John Shevel Outdoor Terraces, and library.
Our volunteers serve home-cooked or catered meals in our communal kitchen so families don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
Please note that due to COVID-19, our programs may be unavailable and common spaces may be closed.
Check-out
We ask that guests clean the room and leave it in the same condition as received. Please take out all garbage, remove food items from the kitchen, and wash/dry the linens and towels. Guests must check out at the front desk prior to 2:00pm on their day of departure. All room keys and House IDs must be returned.
COVID-19 Info
We have implemented enhanced safety measures and operational processes to move our mission forward and continue to serve families. While our House has remained open, there has been a number of programs and services that are currently on pause.
Family Support
Caregiver Support Group
We have virtualized our Caregiver Support Group (CSG) meetings in response to COVID-19. Our CSG meeting provides a place to:
• Stay connected
• Share feelings confidentially
• Meet new people & make new friends!
• Receive help navigating a child's medical crisis
• Learn from others who have walked a similar path
For more information or to sign up, please visit here on our Virtual Programs page.
Support Services
Our support services are to ensure families receive individualized care throughout their journey at RMH-NY. Our support offerings provide caregiver support on an individual and group level to provide emotional support and to be a connector for our families to external and internal resources. Alongside our Child Life specialist, we offer Sibling Support Group on a weekly basis. The goal of this program is for the siblings of patients to receive extra support during their stay at the house through fun activities.
Additionally, we are able to connect RMH-NY families to resources through our Resource Library and Family Resource Nights. Our team has a diverse library of brochures, books, and informational packets surrounding financial, medical, and supportive resources within New York City and country-wide.
RMH-NY has created an easier way for our families to receive information about their specific hospital system by making a “Hospital Navigation cards”. Within each card there will be a list of important services and contacts to help families connect to the services they need from patient representatives, translation services, and their Social Work teams. Email family@rmh-newyork.org for your hospital system's navigation card.
In addition, the Family Support team has a virtual Resource Library for our families to explore. Our Resource Nights are an opportunity for families to meet and connect with representatives from legal, financial, emotional support, cultural organizations and more.
Check out our Resource Library for more information!
Bedside Services
Our inpatient program provides bedside services for hospitalized children and their families. As requested, we can provide caregivers a sense of support and advocacy at the hospital during checkup appointments, medical procedures, emergencies etc... Please note this program has been put on hold during COVID-19 however we continue to support the relationship between our families and their hospital teams.
Check out our Bedside Services page for more information.
Bereavement Program
The Bereavement Program at RMH-NY provides support and guidance to bereaved parents and family members following the death of a child. Our program provides emotional support, referral information, information about grief, and communication assistance needed between the hospital and families. We provide information for our families about what funeral services may look like within this time to help prepare and support any questions that come up. For more information, please email family@rmh-newyork.org.
Check out our Bereavement Program page for more information.
Staying at the House
Laundry Information
Laundry use is available by appointment only, please dial 0 to call the front desk to sign up for a time.
Appointment slots are as follows: 8AM – 2PM and 3PM – 9PM.
Your laundry room is located on your floor at one end of the hall, the other end is the trash room.
Detergent available upon request.
Garbage Information
The trash and recycling room is located on your floor at one end of the hall, the other end is the laundry room.
Please place all trash down the trash chute built into the wall, Just pull on the handle to open the chute.
Recycling can be placed in the bin located in the room.
Additional trash bags are located in the room, if the room has run out of extra trash bags please dial 0 and inform the front desk.
Room Temperature
There is a thermostat located in the room to control your room's temperature.
The windows can also be cracked opened. Press on the two clamps and push in the opposite direction to open the window.
Please do not turn the AC/Heat with the window open.
WiFi & Television Info
WiFi is available at the house!
The WiFi connection is named RMH-NY. Once selected please wait for the pop up and follow prompts for unlimited connection. For assistance, press the WiFi button on your room telephone button.
The TV has various channels, please check the guide for specifics. Channel 1 has house related information, memos and updates. Movies are free to rent (limit to 2 every 24 hours, when you start a movie it counts towards this limit even if you do not watch it). For assistance, press the TV button on your room telephone button.
Telephone Information
The room phone is able to make free local and international calls, just dial "9-1" followed by the number you are trying to contact.
Dial 0 to contact the front desk.
If you are in need of anything or have any questions please contact the front desk.
Room Arrangement
The couch pulls out into a full size bed.
The room can be arranged however you'd like.
Please return the room to its original state upon check out.
Bathroom Information
Rooms with Tubs: To use the shower head pull the rim of the faucet down while the water is on.
Rooms without Tubs: To use the shower head just turn the handle.
Shower Chairs and Tub Stoppers are available, please dial 0 to request one from the front desk.
Linenes & Toiletries
Towels, Sheets and Blankets are provided in the wrapped bag on the couch.
Please place them back in this bag upon check out.
If additional linens are needed please dial 0 to contact the front desk.
Toiletries such as toilet paper, toothbrushes, shampoo, baby diapers, etc. are available. Please contact the front desk.
Meal Program
Meal Delivery Info & Times
We have an incredible community that supports our House and the families staying here in providing three meals a day, seven days a week!
When available, menu's for the day ahead can be located below on this page, the Family Dashboard on your room's TV and on the welcome screen in the main lobby.
All meals are packaged individually and delivered outside your room with a friendly knock by our team to let you know your food has arrived.
Breakfast serving starts at 9:00 AM
Lunch serving starts at 1:00 PM
Dinner serving starts at 6:30 PM
Requesting Meals
Taking part in our meal program is always optional and free of charge. All you have to do is complete your meal request form located on your door and let us know how many meals, when, and if you have any allergy concerns or dietary restrictions. It's that easy! You can always let us know if your plans change too, we are flexible and here to serve you!
Leftover Meals & Coffee
Any leftover meals are located in the Community Fridge in 2nd Floor Dining Room, where you will also find snacks and the ice machine.
Coffee, hot water and a microwave are located in the main lobby for your use.
Hospital Transportation
Ride Health
Our team is proud to announce our partnership with Ride Health to offer safe, efficient and complimentary rides to and from hospital visits. Families are now able to schedule their own rides with Ride Health 24/7.
For more information on this program, please contact our Family Support Services team at family@rmh-newyork.org.
Can’t find what you're looking for?
Visit our FAQ section or contact us at family@rmh-newyork.org for more information!
You can also text message our Front Desk by clicking on the SMS link below from your phone!