Ronald McDonald House/Katie's Kastle

January 25, 2008

Pictures Now Available.  Please see below for pictures of the "NEW" House. 

January 3, 2008

Our Dream Has Come True! Today marks the Official Grand Opening of The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House at Front & Erie.  A wonderful feeling of accomplishment and pride is being felt by all who were involved in this great undertaking. Thank you to all who have made this dream a reality (photographs to follow).

Thank you, Katie, for giving us the strength and the will to see our hopes and dreams of a house become a reality (selfishly written by Daddy).

August 23, 2007

Today is Katie's 9th Birthday.  Katie's family went to see the "new" Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House at Front and Erie.  Please scroll down to see the progress to date.  Hopefully, the house will be open for families in January of 2008.    

 January 2007

We at Katie's Krusaders are very excited to see our biggest goal (to date) coming to life. Please view the pictures below to witness the official start of the building of The Ronald McDonald House at Front and Erie.

 November 2, 2006

Today Marks The Official Ground Breaking Ceremonies of The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House at Front & Erie.

Anita Brickman of Channel 6 Action News was the Mistress of Ceremonies and was able to turn a somewhat chilly day into a warm and exciting day for the Katie's Krusaders Family. Along with all Ronald McDonald Charities and Tenet dignitaries who were speakers, Terry Duffin was also asked to speak on behalf of our family and Katie's Krusaders. Terry spoke from her heart and proudly represented us all by reflecting on our family's experiences while Katie was hospitalized and, utimately, the need for this house.

We at Katie's Krusaders would like to thank all who have supported and contributed to our goal of building this house. Although we have raised slightly over 75% of our $500,000.00 commitment, making us a Corner Stone Partner in this endeavor, we want to also let you know our mission is far from complete. We ask that you continue to support Katie's Krusaders in our efforts to meet our Corner Stone commitment, our ultimate goal of raising the awareness of the incidence of cancer in children along with allowing us to adhere to our motto "Loving Hands Helping Sick Children".

2006 Construction Plan Announcement

 PHILADELPHIA,  November 28, 2005 at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children  celebrated its 130th anniversary with the announcement of a new Ronald McDonald House to be built on the hospital’s main campus at Erie Avenue and Front Street.  The announcement was made Wednesday, November 30, 2005, during a celebration that will brought city and state dignitaries together to mark the hospital’s milestone with the debut of a commemorative mural.

 The facility, to be known as The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House located at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, will provide a “home away from home” for families whose children are being treated at area hospitals including St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Temple University Children’s Medical Center and Philadelphia Shriners Hospital.  Construction is planned to begin July 2006.

"We are thrilled our patients and their families will soon have this very special safe haven to call home during their time with us,” commented Jill Tillman, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children’s chief operating officer and acting chief executive officer.  “We are most grateful to John Durante, president of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Philadelphia, Joan Emmi, president and board of directors member with Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, and to the Duffin family, founders of Katie’s Krusaders, for their tireless efforts, commitment and dedication to bring this wonderful facility to our hospital grounds.”