children's hospitals

Audrey’s Children, go see it now!

/ antonioyrocinante / 1 Comment

The films I normally write about are transcendental, artsy, and artistically important films. Audrey’s Children is none of the above, but it is still a meaningful, honest film. It tells the story of Dr. Audrey Evans’ arrival at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, her pediatric oncology achievements, and her creation of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. There are no special effects, no flashbacks, no plot twists, just a real story told with little fuss. This does not make the film any less interesting; on the contrary, it allows the viewer to focus on the story, which is a good one.

The reason this film hits close to home is twofold: I used to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill for the four years of my PhD, and I also volunteered at the Family Room in Madrid. Also, my sister works for the RMHC in Spain!

This is a solid film: great cast, beautifully written, great photography, and plot, but because this is not a big budget film, it will not last long in theatres, so make sure you see it ASAP, you are welcome.

Philadelphia. 1969. British physician, Dr. Audrey Evans, is newly recruited to a world-renowned children’s hospital and battles sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers to develop revolutionary treatments, purchase the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients and, ultimately, impact the lives of millions of children around the world. Based on a true story.

Captain Olson. Sibling pride, my sister at Ronald McDonald House Charities Spain

/ antonioyrocinante / 3 Comments

Keeping families together while a child is hospitalized is an important task, and one that Ronald McDonald House Charities is dedicated to. They build houses next to children’s hospitals around the world so the family can stay -for free- as long as the child is in hospital.

My younger sister has worked at the Spanish operation for years, which led me to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill while I studied for my PhD, and at the Neonatal unit’s Ronald McDonald Family Room at the La Paz Hospital in Madrid while I lived in Spain.

McDonald’s is the key and main sponsor of the organization, but not the only one. Recently, my sister convinced McDonald’s Spain’s advertising company to lean into the cause by creating an ad for the organization. The result could not be any better. Grab a box of tissues, block the next eight minutes of your day, and enjoy, you are welcome!