New York Life Supports Improvements to Ronald McDonald Family Room® at Texas Children’s Hospital
October 16, 2014 /3BL Media/ - New York Life, one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States, has partnered with CBS EcoMedia through its WellnessAd program to make critical renovations to the Cancer and Hematology Inpatient Unit Ronald McDonald Family Room at Texas Children’s Hospital. The upgrades will enhance the environment in the Family Room, offering home-like surroundings and needed amenities for families of children facing a life-threatening condition.
Ronald McDonald House Houston at Texas Children’s Hospital offers four relaxing Family Rooms situated throughout the hospital that provide a haven for rest and relaxation inside hospitals, allowing families to remain steps from their sick child. The room offers snacks, a relaxing atmosphere, supportive volunteers and an opportunity to connect with other families going through similar situations. Additionally, Ronald McDonald House Houston operates a 20-bedroom House inside Texas Children’s Hospital which serves families of neonatal, pediatric and cardiovascular intensive care patients.
New York Life’s funding will support much-needed renovations to the Family Room, including new tables, chairs, sofas, bookcases, appliances and electronics. The Cancer and Hematology Inpatient Unit Ronald McDonald Family Room is one of the most populated Family Rooms at Texas Children’s Hospital and serves thousands of families and patients.
A special event was held at Texas Children’s Hospital today to celebrate the partnership and the impact on families in the community. Hosts of today’s event included Rob McKinley, managing partner, New York Life Houston General Office; Leslie Bourne, executive director, Ronald McDonald House Houston; Mikki Donnelly, director of advancement, Ronald McDonald House Houston; Paul Polizzotto, president and founder, CBS EcoMedia.
“In 2001 it was this Oncology/Hematology Ronald McDonald Family Room that began the wonderful in-hospital partnership between Ronald McDonald House Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital, and just last year our Family Room provided a home away from home to over 2,550 patient admissions,” said Nanci Allen, director of hospital programs, Ronald McDonald House Houston. “It’s so exciting to see our guests when they walk through the door and find a warm and welcoming respite; a place to visit with other families and volunteers, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a freshly baked cookie. We’re so thankful New York Life is making it possible to refurbish and refresh one of our Family Rooms!”
“When EcoMedia approached us about this project we knew immediately that we wanted to help,” said McKinley. “We are delighted to make the days a little brighter for the families and volunteers that use this space.”
“We’re immensely grateful to New York Life for helping to provide families of hospitalized children a safe haven where they can be close to their child during such a trying time,” said Polizzotto.
The timing of today’s celebration is significant in that this week marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia in 1974. Since that first House, Ronald McDonald House Charities® has grown to impact the lives of nearly 9 million children and families — both locally, and around the world.
About New York Life
New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States* and one of the largest life insurers in the world. New York Life has the highest possible financial strength ratings currently awarded to any life insurer from all four of the major credit rating agencies: A.M. Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa), Standard & Poor’s (AA+).** Headquartered in New York City, New York Life’s family of companies offers life insurance, retirement income, investments and long-term care insurance. New York Life Investments*** provides institutional asset management and retirement plan services. Other New York Life affiliates provide an array of securities products and services, as well as retail mutual funds. Please visit New York Life’s website at www.newyorklife.com for more information.
*Based on revenue as reported by “Fortune 500 ranked within Industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual),” Fortune magazine, 6/16/14. For methodology, please see http://fortune.com/.
**Individual independent rating agency commentary as of 8/13/14.
***New York Life Investments is a service mark used by New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC and its subsidiary, New York Life Investment Management LLC.
About Ronald McDonald House Houston
Ronald McDonald House Houston offers a home away from home providing care, compassion and hope to families with seriously ill children including those in need of an organ transplant or fighting cancer that are being treated in Texas Medical Center member institutions. Located throughout the Texas Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House Houston facilities include a freestanding 50-bedroom House on Holcombe Blvd. for long-term stays; 20-bedroom House inside Texas Children’s Hospital; 14-bedroom House inside Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital; four Family Rooms at Texas Children’s Hospital and a Family Room at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. In 2013, RMH Houston served over 27,000 families.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporations, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of Chapters in 58 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal and cope better.
About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.
Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomediacbs.com, like us at facebook.com/EcoMediaCBS or follow us at Twitter.com/EcoMediaCBS.
By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.
