Thanks to you, Zander’s family has found a second home in Ronald McDonald House – and a caring community to belong to.

Born prematurely and diagnosed with immature lung disease, happy-go-lucky Zander, 9, endured chronic bronchiolitis for years, before being diagnosed with severe asthma.

“His oxygen levels drop at times and we’ve had multiple admissions to hospital,” says his mum Kirstie.

From their home in the remote town of Kojonup, Western Australia, it takes three hours for Kirstie to drive Zander to hospital in Perth for his appointments. Yet the trip has now become more enjoyable, thanks to their second home – and compassionate people - they’ve discovered in Ronald McDonald House.

Because of you, when exhausted and anxious families like Zander’s arrive at the House, compassionate staff and volunteers are always there, ready to greet them with a warm hug, a kind word and a cuppa. The House is also a place where they find the companionship of other families navigating a similar journey.

“I’m a single parent to three boys, and I have days where it feels too hard,” says Kirstie.

“As soon as you arrive, you feel like part of the family. Staff do everything to make you feel as comfortable and happy as possible. They truly are amazing.”

Ronald McDonald Learning Program

Children like Zander, who has had 19 hospital visits in his short life, often miss out on schooling while in treatment.

Zander is one of thousands of children who benefit from one-on-one tutoring, along with speech and occupational therapy, provided through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program.

“He loves the Learning Program and he adores his teacher,” says Kirstie.