The Denver Post
November 14, 2004 Sunday
FINAL EDITION

THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Wide-open arms, wider need Nonprofit organization plans second
facility, near Fitzsimons campus, to meet growing demand The current
house on Downing Street cares for about 1,200 families a year. When
the new site opens, the Denver operations would be the largest in the
U.S.

by Mike McPhee Denver Post Staff Writer SEASON TO SHARE

The Ronald McDonald House is recognized by many but understood by
few. Inside the house on Downing Street are terrific examples of how
fragile life can be and, for some, how horribly unfair.

Yet the place is filled with hope.

Elmira Poghosyan is an Armenian woman whose 7-year-old son, Arsen,
has endured unimaginable suffering in his short life. In just the
past 12 months, Arsen has suffered through 46 throat surgeries. He
was born with a rare form of cancer that forms polyps in his
windpipe, gradually choking him.

“I think the next few surgeries will cure him,” says Poghosyan, who
has lived in a small room with her son for the past 16 months.

But she has reason to hope. Arsen spent two years in an Armenian
hospital, only to be discharged as incurable. Another year in a
German hospital failed to help him.

Back home in Armenia, a national appeal on Armenian television caught
the attention of an international firm, as well as some Armenians
living in America. A connection was made with Dr. Nigel Pashley at
Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, one of two doctors
in the world able to treat Arsen’s cancer successfully by using mumps
vaccine. Contributions of $7,500 flowed in, British Airways helped
with flights, and the mother and son came to Denver.

Pashley and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s have covered the entire cost of
Arsen’s care while the Ronald McDonald organization has covered all
the costs of housing them.

“This is my family now,” says Poghosyan, quickly breaking into tears
of gratitude. “They have a very big heart.”

The nonprofit Ronald McDonald organization was founded in 1974 by
former Philadelphia Eagles player Phil Hill to care for displaced
families of children undergoing intense medical care. There are 238
houses worldwide and 180 in the United States. Denver’s was the third
to be built.

Four years ago, the house moved from a Victorian on Ogden Street to a
$7.5 million, 30-room facility it built between Children’s Hospital
and Presbyterian/St. Luke’s. But even the large facility, which cares
for families from all over the world, has a waiting list of 18 to 20
families.

Ironically, the same week the new Ronald McDonald house opened,
Children’s Hospital announced it was moving to the Fitzsimons campus
in Aurora. So Pamela Whitaker, executive director and indomitable
force behind the Denver operation, announced she would build a second
facility near Fitzsimons. Land prices near the new medical facilities
have skyrocketed to almost $1.5 million per acre. Undaunted, she is
well underway on a $9 million drive to build a 60-room facility
there. Combined, the two facilities would make Denver the largest
operation in the U.S.

“Denver is a very generous community,” says Whitaker, who came to
Ronald McDonald House when she was laid off from Rose Hospital 15
years ago. Donation canisters at all area McDonald’s restaurants
provide a significant amount of funding, she added.

The organization has applied for a grant this year through the
Post-News Season to Share campaign.

The current facility, which cares for an average of 1,200 families a
year, has an annual budget of $1.25 million, which comes almost
entirely from donations. Whitaker runs a lean operation, with only
four paid staffers, supported by 300 volunteers.

The immaculate building has a large kitchen and dining room. Despite
a well-stocked pantry of donated foods, local families frequently
will bring in or prepare meals for the residents.

Whitaker has a knack for getting everyone involved.

“Even Elmira has cooked a number of Russian meals for us,” Whitaker
said, smiling.

GRAPHIC: Kathryn Scott Osler | The Denver Post Wendy Oleskevich is
staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Downing Street with her son,
Caleb, who is awaiting a heart transplant. The group, founded in
1974, has 238 houses worldwide, including 180 in the United States.
Denver’s was the third to be built.
PHOTO: Kathryn Scott Osler | The Denver Post Wendy Oleskevich is
staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Downing Street with her son,
Caleb, who is awaiting a heart transplant. The group, founded in
1974, has 238 houses worldwide, including 180 in the United States.
Denver’s was the third to be built.