Ronald McDonald House India Marks 10 Years of Supporting Families of Children with Cancer
Mumbai, October 24, 2026: Ronald McDonald House India has completed 10 years of supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, reporting that its Family Rooms and House programmes have reached more than 39,000 children and family members over the past decade.
The milestone was marked at the Ronald McDonald House in Mahim, Mumbai, India’s first facility of its kind, which also completed one year of providing free accommodation to families whose children are receiving hospital treatment.
Since opening in October 2025, the Mahim House has served 74 families, provided nearly 48,000 meals, enabled more than 5,000 overnight stays, conducted 45 psychosocial support sessions and facilitated over 300 hospital transfers, all at no cost to families.
The organisation’s programmes aim to help families remain close to their children during prolonged medical treatment. Many families travel hundreds of kilometres to access specialised care and may have to leave behind their jobs, homes and other children. Access to accommodation, meals, transportation and counselling can help ease some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with treatment.
Ronald McDonald House India began its work in 2016 with the country’s first Ronald McDonald Family Room at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Mumbai. A second Family Room opened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2024, followed by the Mahim House in 2025.
The organisation also highlighted changes in childhood cancer treatment abandonment rates. When the first Family Room opened in 2016, dropout rates among children with cancer were reported to be above 40–50%. The current rate is reported to be below 5%. The organisation identified the Family Room as one of the factors contributing to the improvement by helping families remain close to their children and engaged throughout treatment.
Smita Jatia, Chairperson, Ronald McDonald House India, said, “A child's illness affects the entire family, and I have always believed that supporting the child means standing beside the family too. For me, this work has never been just about providing a room or a bed; it is about helping parents stay close to their children, find strength in difficult moments and remain involved in their care. That belief has driven us since the first Family Room opened, and it continues to shape what we want to build for families across India. We have come a long way in 10 years, but there is still much more to do, and that is what keeps us committed to this mission.”
"As India strengthens childhood cancer and pediatric healthcare services, ensuring that families can remain close to their children during treatment must become an essential part of the care ecosystem," added Jatia.
During the anniversary gathering, Jatia met parents staying at the Mahim House and heard about their experiences during their children’s treatment. The event also recognised the support staff who assist families throughout their stay.
Looking ahead, Ronald McDonald House India aims to support more than 5,000 families annually by 2030 through at least five Ronald McDonald Houses and three Family Rooms across five cities. The organisation plans to work with at least five leading paediatric hospitals and expand its volunteer network.
Its stated priorities include helping children complete treatment, reducing financial hardship for families and providing emotional support throughout the treatment journey.
