The House That Love Built Needs Your Help
The House That Love Built Needs Your Help
Sue Dundas recently stated: "If every child has a cubby house, every adult needs a Ronald McDonald House." |
| 11 Aug 2009 |
| Sue and Rob Dundas, who live in Alexandra (Victoria), are the proud parents of Chris (20), Nathan (16) and Stephanie (19). Stephanie was born with cystic fibrosis and has already had many hospital admissions, enduring countless surgeries, procedures and major operations. Her medical history includes chest infections, asthma, liver disease, diabetes, viruses, a tonsillectomy, a splenectomy and constant pain, nausea and weight loss. Recently Stephanie had a liver transplant operation, possibly being the first cystic fibrosis patient in Victoria to survive this operation according to Dr Paul Gow, a physician with the Austin Hospital liver and transplant unit. While Stephanie spends most of her time at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton her parents Sue and Rob Dundas' second home for the last seven years has been Ronald McDonald House Monash. When asked about her experience at Ronald McDonald House Monash, Sue comments that: |
| "I love the House... it has been my salvation and everyone is so friendly and helpful." |
| As many of you may be aware, Ronald McDonald House Monash provides affordable accommodation close to the Monash Medical Centre for families with seriously ill children such as Stephanie. Over 500 families from regional Victoria experiencing the ongoing trauma of seriously ill or dying child in hospital use Ronald McDonald House at Monash each year as their "home away from home" rather than sleeping in chairs on busy wards or waiting rooms or in expensive hotels. As with any house, r ouse with 15 bedrooms costs a lot of money to maintain. Keeping just one room open for a year costs $30,000 which equates to more than $2500 per room per month. |
| Any contribution you can make to the ongoing House costs will be a great help. |
| Sue Dundas often gets sacred and when asked how she copes she said: |
| "It's with a wonderful family support and with Stephanie's inner strength that keeps me strong." |
| Our House continues to work closely with the Dundas family providing assistance and support at such difficult times as life threatening surgery that Stephanie recently experienced. New families arrive each day and they also need the support and comfort our Hose provides. Many of the families who stay at our home away from home are suffering acute stress and anxiety. We are always trying to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable which is why we are calling on you. |
| To give these families the vital help they need, please phone us between 9am and 5pm on +61 (0)3 9562 6223. |
| Thank you very much for being a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Monash. Your help at this time with a further gift would be greatly appreciated. Yours most sincerely, |
| Jennifer North OAM |
| Executive Director Ronald McDonald House Monash |
