An unlikely partnership was formed in Philadelphia in 1974 between an oncologist, an NFL team, and a restaurant chain.
A home away from home for families of seriously ill children was the dream of Dr. Audrey Evans (oncologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia).
At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles were raising funds in support of player Fred Hill, whose daughter Kim was in treatment for leukemia at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
When the Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray approached St. Christopher’s about making a donation, Dr. Lawrence Naiman suggested there was an even greater need for funds resting with Dr. Evans.

Jimmy Murray met Dr. Evans and quickly learned of her concept of a home for families.
He reached out to McDonald’s with the idea that they could offer the proceeds from their Shamrock Shake sales to benefit this new house.
McDonald’s agreed, and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was born on October 15, 1974.

Today, there are close to 300 Houses all over the world serving the very families Dr. Evans sought to help.


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