Launching Five Clinics on Wheels This Year, Ronald McDonald House Charities Celebrates Ten Years of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver, Kasey Kahne, Joins the Celebration Giving $50K Toward a New Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program
Oak Brook, Ill. (Vocus) June 4, 2010
Ten years after the launch of the first Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® (RMCM) (http://rmhc. org/what-we-do/ronald-mcdonald-care-mobile/), five other programs are scheduled to launch in 2010: Latvia, Columbus, OH; Denver, CO; Australia, and Canada. Currently, there are 39 programs on the road around the world delivering dental, medical and health education services to 150,000 children in vulnerable populations each year. For more than a decade, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) (http://rmhc. org/who-we-are/mission-and-vision/) has created these clinics on wheels to identify, treat, and refer children to a continuous health source. The care on board is affordable and no child is turned away because of their ability or inability to pay.
A unique mobile healthcare program (http://rmhc. org/files/edm/201002.php), the RMCM goes beyond treatment, by reducing families' reliance on emergency rooms, heightening awareness of healthy lifestyles and helping eligible families obtain government-assisted health insurance. Based on estimated market rates for basic pediatric and dental services, the health care provided annually by RMHC is valued at nearly $10 million, according to a study of the economic impact of the RMCM program in the United States. Staffed by healthcare experts in the communities it serves, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program works to complement existing services, build capacity and strengthen the local healthcare infrastructure. RMCM staff provide services that range from immunizations and preventive check-ups to dental care and treatment for chronic and acute illnesses.
Sixty percent of the children who visit the RMCM are uninsured and do not visit a physician’s office during the year and more than half have no care from a provider of any type in an office-based setting. Uninsured children are at greater risk of experiencing health problems such as obesity, heart disease and asthma, and most likely these will continue to affect them later in adulthood.
''Over the past 10 years the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile has served over 1 million children. An important part of the health care delivering system to vulnerable children, the program’s success lies in the partnerships made with the medical community, as well as donors like Kasey Kahne and the Kasey Kahne Foundation,'' said Jennifer Blanchard Smith, senior director of Communications and Special Programs, RMHC. ''With this support we know we’ll be on the road serving children for many years to come.''
Kasey Kahne, long-time supporter and Celebrity Friend of RMHC, celebrated the program’s 10-year milestone by donating $50,000 from the Kasey Kahne Foundation to kick off the Drive to Care Campaign (http://rmhc. org/drivetocare? utm_source=all&utm_medium=all&utm_campaign=DrivetoCare). Kahne is challenging his fans and followers to visit http://www. drivetocare. org (http://www. drivetocare. org)] and help raise the $500,000 needed to put a new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile on the road in a neighborhood where high quality care for children is needed. Kasey knows that quality medical and dental care from the youngest age gives kids the green flag to a healthy and happy life. "From the first Ronald McDonald House® to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program, RMHC has been about providing help and resources to families. With my fan base and the Kasey Kahne Foundation on board, I think together we can do even more to help children access the care they need,” said Kahne.
The Drive to Care Campaign will raise awareness about the breadth, scope and reach of the Charity’s mobile health program, as well as raise much needed funds.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House® (http://rmhc. org/what-we-do/ronald-mcdonald-house/), Ronald McDonald Family Room® (http://rmhc. org/what-we-do/ronald-mcdonald-family-room/) and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® (http://rmhc. org/what-we-do/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-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, http://www. rmhc. org (http://www. rmhc. org)].
About the Kasey Kahne Foundation
The Kasey Kahne Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3), was created by NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations that care for chronically ill children and their families. The Foundation is dedicated to positive cultural changes by giving underprivileged boys and girls ample opportunities for success. Community involvement projects are valued as they have the chance to make a positive impact on a life. For more information, visit http://www. kaseykahnefoundation. org/ (http://www. kaseykahnefoundation. org/)].
###
