Ronald McDonald House: A temporary home for numerous families

It was no ordinary evening at the Häbse Theatre on 12 October 2018. As countless times before, the comedy „Ship overboard“ with Dani von Wattenwyl & ensemble was performed. However, the proceeds from the entertaining evening did not go to the theatre this time, but to the Ronald McDonald House Basel.

According to house manager Nina Hauck, the charity event raised around 8,000 francs in favour of the house. The home, which is run by the Ronald McDonald House Foundation Basel, relies on donations to keep it running.

UKBB employees were also in the audience, as the Ronald McDonald House on Mittlere Strasse is an important part of the hospital's care for the relatives of young patients. „The parents“ house is very important to us," says Caroline Stade, Head of Nursing Services.

Ronald McDonald House is very popular

At UKBB, one parent has the option, to spend the night in the child's room. However, this is not a solution for longer stays. Parents, siblings and close relatives who come to Basel from abroad can therefore find affordable accommodation in the Ronald McDonald House just a few minutes' walk from the UKBB and can therefore be close to their sick children at all times. A total of seven double rooms and two single rooms are available for the symbolic fee of CHF 20 per night and family.

„In particular, we want to offer families with seriously ill children who come to UKBB from further afield a temporary home. Here they should be able to switch off from everyday hospital life and lead as normal a life as possible,“ says Nina Hauck.

The offer is very popular: Between 350 and 400 families stay overnight here every year. Since its launch in November 2010, a total of 2,600 families have stayed over 15,000 nights. In 2018, the occupancy rate was around 90 per cent. When we spoke to Nina Hauck and assistant Alexandra Tanner, the centre was at full capacity.

On average, the families stay for six days. The longest stay to date was 15 months. The families come from all over Switzerland, around a third from the canton of Ticino. Families who live abroad also find their way to the Ronald McDonald House. Staff at this international home should therefore have good language skills.

Supported by the Ronald McDonald Foundation

Even if the fates of the families are sometimes very personal and stressful for the employees: „I enjoy coming to work here every day,“ says trained lawyer Nina Hauck, who has been running the centre since mid-2016. She particularly appreciates the variety. „Every day is different.“ And the „many wonderful stories that also exist“ help to provide new motivation.

In 2017, for example, we hosted a family whose seriously ill child was being treated at the UKBB. The child is now back home and doing better - and the family has been visiting the Ronald McDonald House Basel regularly ever since. „This gratitude from many families is a wonderful recognition of our work,“ says Nina Hauck. Nina Hauck and Alexandra Tanner are supported by twelve volunteers who help with the housework and gardening once a week.

One of Nina Hauck's central tasks is also fundraising, as she emphasises. The Ronald McDonald House Basel is financially supported by the Ronald McDonald Children's Foundation Switzerland - In Switzerland, there are now seven Ronald McDonald Houses in the vicinity of hospitals - as well as the contributions of the families who stay overnight in the house.

However, the Ronald McDonald House Foundation Basel should also raise a large proportion of the funds itself. Nina Hauck has therefore already planned further events: The charity event at the Häbse Theatre should take place every year if possible. A sporting event is also on the cards.

Valentin Kressler, Communications Officer UKBB