First Ronald McDonald House to Open in Alaska
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ronald McDonald House at Alaska Native Medical Center to Open in 2017
Anchorage, AK (January 11, 2016) – The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Western Washington & Alaska will expand their current partnership to include the first Ronald McDonald House® in Alaska on one floor of the new six-story ANTHC housing facility in early 2017. The new House will primarily house women with high-risk pregnancies, but will also be available to pediatric patients of ANMC.
The House will feature common areas, a dedicated kitchen, access to a workout space, and even a library for new mothers. The facility includes 34 rooms, each with their own bathroom, full-sized bed, and sleeper chair. The housing facility will be joined to the hospital by a skybridge, making it easy for families to get the care they need. “We really want this to feel like a home-away-from-home for new mothers,” says Ronald McDonald House Executive Director, Dianna Finnerty. “We want it to be a strong community and support and healing for those coming from miles away to get medical treatment.”
This new floor will allow residents to share their experiences in a culturally appropriate environment, develop a strong community of support, and be just steps away from the ANMC hospital. Alaska Native culture will play a large role in the House, with volunteer-run programs offering activities like traditional cooking classes, quilting, and beading circles. Other plans for the House include game-nights, exercise classes, and arts and crafts activities.
The Ronald McDonald House at ANMC builds on a pre-existing partnership between the two organizations. The Alaskan Native Tribal Health Consortium has hosted RMHC’s popular van service in downtown Anchorage since 2008. The van helps families from out of town navigate Anchorage during their child’s medical treatment, and in 2014 alone served more than 900 families.
The Ronald McDonald House is asking for the local community’s help in raising money to outfit the House with supplies for new mothers. More details can be found on the RMHC website at: www.rmhcseattle.org/alaska. Contributions can also be made at www.rmhcseattle.org/donate or via check (made out to RMHC) mailed to 5130 40th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska also operates the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, which offers housing to over 400 families a year who have a child receiving medical treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital for a serious illness. For more information on the Seattle location, please visit www.rmhcseattle.org.
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Press Contacts:
Michelle Scharlock
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Western Washington & Alaska
5130 40th Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98105
Michelle Weston
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 4000 Ambassador Drive, Anchorage, 99508