Push to open life-changing facility in Mackay for first time

‘The family room will provide a refuge for families who are going through a very tough time.’

Leonie and Mackealie Twidale utilising the outdoor space at the Ronald McDonald Family Room Townsville

TWO major charities have come together to help sick children in the Mackay and Whitsunday regions.

On Monday, Ronald McDonald House Charities announced a joint fundraising campaign with the Mackay Hospital Foundation to raise $650,000 for a new family room at Mackay Base Hospital.

The family room will provide a homelike environment near the Child and Adolescent Unit at the hospital, and offer free services and the presence of volunteers to enable family members of hospitalised children to take a break from the wards and increase their wellbeing.

Research has found Ronald McDonald Family Rooms improve the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of family members of seriously ill or injured children in hospital and can help families save, on average, $37 a day in food and beverage purchases.

The room will contain a lounge area, kitchen and dining facilities, laundry, bathroom and shower, overnight sleeping and play spaces.

The only family room in North Queensland is at Townsville Hospital. It has become a much-loved space, welcoming between 300 and 400 families each month.

For families like the Twidales, the Townsville family room has provided a welcome respite while being only moments away from lifesaving treatment for their teenage daughter, Mackealie.

Just 10 children in Queensland suffer from the rare genetic disorder known as 'pulmonary ciliary dyskinesia'. Mackealie is one of them. The disorder means hairs in the lungs that usually clear out mucus do not work.

Mackealie has spent long periods of her life in hospital and even now, as a teenager, she spends at least a quarter of every year in Townsville Hospital.

"As a parent, when you first get the diagnosis it's like you're going through a tunnel," her mother, Leonie, said.

"You are digging and digging, trying anything and everything to get through. Every bit of your energy goes into that.

"Because of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, for a tiny minute you get to stop and rest. You walk in and it's like a home and you can breathe. You can let yourself physically and mentally relax, and your child can do the same. You can regroup and get ready for the next battle."

In 2018, 154 Mackay and Whitsunday families with a seriously ill child were cared for by RMHC, 2,246 night stays were provided and 19 children in the region were provided tutoring via the RMHC Learning Program.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Jo Whitehead said the family room would be a welcome addition to the hospital.

"Hospital stays can be a daunting and exhausting experience for our youngest patients and their families, with appointments, tests and treatment often at the centre of their lives," Ms Whitehead said.

"The family room will provide a refuge for families who are going through a very tough time by offering a space to relax away from hospital wards and spend time together as a family," she said.

"Mackay Hospital and Health Service is overwhelmed by the support from Flagon and Dragon, Mackay Hospital Foundation and of course RMHC North Australia. We extend a heartfelt thank you for co-ordinating the community fundraising campaign and making this project possible."

Visit https://fundraise.rmhc.org.au/ronaldmcdonaldfamilyroommackay to donate or phone RMHC North Australia on 4775 5600.

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