The first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County is scheduled for construction this upcoming spring at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Last semester, Stony Brook Medicine and Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro held their ceremonial groundbreaking event within walking distance from Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
The 60,000-square-foot house will have 30 suites for families whose children are staying at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Each suite includes a bedroom, bathroom and a living room space. In addition, there will be multiple community kitchens within the complex where both residents and volunteers can cook meals every day.
“‘This facility will stand as a beacon of hope, compassion and support for families facing their toughest challenges,’” William A. Wertheim, MD, the executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine, said in a press release. “‘Our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities highlights the strength of collaboration, and I am delighted to be joining our resources and expertise to meet the diverse needs of our community.’”
This will be the second Ronald McDonald House opening on Long Island. The first house is located in New Hyde Park, N.Y., by Cohen Children’s Medical Center, serving the Queens and Nassau County area.
Dr. Lisa Muratori, a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the Stony Brook School of Health Professions, is a volunteer for Ronald McDonald House. She began volunteering there after the organization helped her while she was in need.
“I am a family member of someone who used the Ronald McDonald House,” Dr. Muratori said. “So, I’m just an advocate for who they are and what they do, and [I’m] thrilled that Stony Brook [University] is going to have a Ronald McDonald House on campus.”
Dr. Muratori’s past experience with Ronald McDonald House was with her late teenage nephew, Anthony Petrocelli, who was a patient at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital for two years.
“We came in kind of an emergency situation,” she said. “He had broken his arm and it just wasn’t healing … It kept swelling and, well you know, it was a broken arm — a 14 year old should heal pretty quickly. We had gotten an image somewhere else and it had shown a tumor, and a fracture was actually right through the tumor.”
Anthony was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a more aggressive form of bone cancer that comes from genetic changes in tumor cells.
During his stay at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Dr. Muratori and her family constantly utilized the Ronald McDonald room located on the 11th floor of the hospital.
“He did pass away at 16, but we’ve been really hoping that we can further the work that Ronald McDonald House and Stony Brook Children’s [Hospital] have been doing,” Dr. Muratori said.
On Sunday, Oct. 13, Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro will be hosting “Anthony’s Red Shoe FUNd Run” in honor of Dr. Muratori’s nephew. The event will start and finish at the Student Activity Center, where participants can enter the 5K race or the one-mile fun run or walk.
During the race, there will be seven food trucks, prizes and games. Two radio stations, 102.3 WBAB and 106.1 BLI, will attending.
“The idea is really to make this a community event,” Dr. Muratori said. “And as much as it’s about fundraising, it’s really about awareness, making sure people know that this [Ronald McDonald House] is going to be here.”
Anyone who is interested in participating, donating or attending the race can sign up through Rockaway Track Club by scrolling down to “Anthony’s Red Shoe FUNd Run.” Runners may register individually or with a group and have the opportunity to win prizes. Additionally, registration is half-price for Stony Brook students and they will also receive a free running shirt.
Like many others, Dr. Muratori said she awaits the grand opening of the Ronald McDonald House. She said she remembers how much support the foundation provided for her family and is glad other families will have the same opportunity.
“We never would have thought that a broken arm would have led to what it did,” Dr. Muratori said. “But to have a place where people are just already to go and take care of everything you need, you can’t imagine what a relief that is. I just know how incredible it’s going to be for the families that get to use it.”
