By Fatima Djelmane Rodriguez, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a leader whose vision forever changed the world—not only for the families she served, but for those of us who continue her mission today.
In 1974, Dr. Audrey Evans recognized a need and took action. That spark led to the creation of Ronald McDonald House Charities, now a global network supporting millions of families with critically ill children. But her legacy began long before that moment.
In the early 1950s, Dr. Evans was the only female student in her medical school. She didn’t just break barriers in a male-dominated field—she redefined them. As the first woman to lead pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she developed a staging system for neuroblastoma that significantly reduced mortality rates. But beyond research, she saw the human side of medicine—needs no medical journal could capture.
Dr. Evans believed in meeting children where they were. Her office had a floor-to-ceiling birdcage, and she welcomed patients' pets into the hospital to ease their fears. She believed healing wasn’t just about medicine—it was about creating an environment of comfort, love, and dignity for both children and their families.
One of her greatest contributions wasn’t made in a lab. It came when she saw parents sleeping in chairs, unable to afford nearby accommodations while their children received treatment. First, she opened her own apartment to these families. Then she imagined something larger: a house where families could stay close to care, free of cost. This vision became the first Ronald McDonald House.
On March 28, 2025, the film Audrey’s Children will bring Dr. Evans’ remarkable story to audiences nationwide. She wasn’t just a medical pioneer—she was a visionary who understood that treating a sick child requires treating the whole family.
Today, her legacy lives on in every Ronald McDonald House, including those of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC). Our mission—to provide comfort, care, and support to children and families—is rooted in her belief that “a family with a sick child is a sick family.”
Keeping Families Close
No parent should ever have to choose between being by their child’s bedside and having a place to sleep. Yet for too many families, long-distance hospital stays, emotional exhaustion, and uncertainty make an already heartbreaking experience even harder.
A 2015 study found that families staying in hospital-provided accommodations, like Ronald McDonald Houses, experienced significantly lower stress and greater ability to cope with their child’s illness. Additionally, a 2023 Ronald McDonald House Paris study further emphasized the emotional relief, community support, and stability these Houses provide during extended hospital stays.
These findings affirm what Dr. Evans knew instinctively: the presence of loved ones is crucial to a child’s healing.
Carrying the Torch in Southern California
At RMHCSC, we see Dr. Evans' impact daily. Across our seven Ronald McDonald Houses, we provide thousands of nights of stay each year, saving families millions in lodging and meal costs. But more than that, we provide peace of mind—a hot meal, a warm bed, and a supportive community when families need it most.
Our work goes beyond housing. Programs like our Family Rooms and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times help remove barriers to care, offering joy, connection, and relief in the most challenging moments.
Just as Dr. Evans believed in treating the child as a whole, we believe in caring for the entire family—because no child fights alone.
An Invitation to Continue the Mission
The release of Audrey’s Children is more than a tribute—it’s a call to action. Dr. Evans’ vision is just as critical today as it was 50 years ago. At RMHCSC, we are always looking for volunteers, donors, and partners to help us keep families close when they need it most.
Dr. Evans once said, “There’s always more to be done, always more to be learned, and always more to share.” She lived by those words until her passing in 2022 at the age of 97, never stopping in her commitment to children and families.
When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she simply said, “As a woman who cared.” Her life’s work was a powerful testament to what happens when we lead with compassion and act with purpose.
At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, we don’t just provide shelter—we provide hope, strength, and healing. Just as she did.
