This month I'm spotlighting two charities that are both well-deserving, but also somewhat linked in their purpose. First up is the Ronald McDonald House. RMHC focuses on helping families who are in need due to medical expenses and travel. Often times when children become ill families travel far away from home seeking treatment and specialists. The financial burden of hospital bills, physicians, hotels, rental cars, etc. causes a strain on an already worried and stressed family. The Ronald McDonald House Charities aim to provide a "home away from home" for these families while they receive treatment at nearby facilities. Since beginning in 1974, more than ten million families around the world have benefited from the comfort provided by a Ronald McDonald House.
This charity is near and dear to my heart because had we traveled to Iowa City to visit Dr. Ponseti while treating Eli's clubfeet, this option would have been available to us. We are extremely lucky to have three practicing Ponseti-trained doctors in Atlanta, but many people don't have three doctors in their state, let alone their city. Their only option is to travel to Iowa and stay for 4-6 weeks while their child(ren) are treated. The room and board cost alone for that would be astronomical (nevermind the fact that work is being missed). If you would like to donate to the Ronald McDonald House, follow the link above, or donate to the Iowa City branch.
The other charity is Angel Flight America. Angel Flight America helps arrange free flights in small, private airplanes for patients and their families seeking medical treatment. (Free flights are also arranged in the event of a national crisis.) In 2005 alone, the corps of over 7, 200 volunteer pilots and outreach volunteers arranged over 18,000 flights for children and adults in need. Again, had we not been able to afford the travel accommodations to Iowa City, Angel Flight would have been available to us; it is another very worthy organization.
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