A Tribute to Kim Hill

Kim Hill, whose illness led to the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House, died Saturday, March 5, 2011 after battling brain tumors for 20 years. Kim was an inspiration and she triumphed in life in so many ways. "She was always positive and just wanted to be with the family, Fred Hill said. "She always felt good that her life meant something. She didn't like being sick, but in a way she was glad she was, because of the good things that happened because of it."

When an unlikely partnership was formed in Philadelphia in 1974 between an NFL team, a children’s hospital and a restaurant chain, none of its members could have imagined that their dream of a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children would grow to become an international phenomenon.  They simply wanted to create a place where parents of sick children could be with families in similar circumstances who understood each others’ situations and could provide emotional support in a safe affordable setting.

Together – Philadelphia Eagles, the medical community/community at large and local McDonald Restaurant Owner/ Operators joined forces, and in 1974 the first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors.  Now, Ronald McDonald Houses are located throughout the United States, Canada, and the world.