The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island (RMH-LI) is a 42-bedroom facility with eight kitchens, five laundry facilities, two Kosher kitchens, a library, children's playground, indoor playroom and numerous indoor and outdoor communal areas serving families in need. It takes about $125 to run one of the rooms every night and families can stay for a suggested donation of $25 dollars a night – if the donation cannot be paid, families will not be turned away. Over 200 volunteers’ help run the house that features home cooked meals, a shuttle service for family members flying in from the airport, and transportation to and from medical appointments. The Pierson family will forever be indebted to the RMH-LI. On April 7, 2012 - 22 days before their daughter Jocelyn’s 1st birthday, Jack and Jessica Pierson received news that their daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome (OMAS). Additionally a tumor was found on and inside her spine approximately 7cm by 8cm, covering over one half of her back. From that point on she immediately began aggressive chemotherapy treatment at Long Island Jewish hospital. The Pierson’s who live in Deer Park, NY were located 45 minutes away from the hospital and were left scrambling for a last minute solution to stay with Jocelyn during her treatment while keeping normalcy at home with their other daughter Kaya who was in school back in Deer Park. The Pierson’s were given the opportunity to use the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island and in Philadelphia on multiple occasions during the times Jocelyn was in and out of the hospital. The entire family lived in the RMH-LI for 18 days when she was first diagnosed with her illnesses. Today, Jocelyn is cancer free however she still struggles with OMAS. She has made great strides since and within the last month and has begun to make her first steps and form her first words. The RMH-LI gave the Pierson family the ability to never leave Jocelyn’s side during treatment, provided homemade meals, a place for the entire family to stay, and a community of parents and who were able to relate to what was going on with their own family. “When you find yourself facing the truly unknown, being in a community like the RMH is the difference between crumbling under the fear, sadness, pain and stress and simply, not - instead having the ability to be present and ready to learn and do your very best for your child and keep your family together,” said Jack Pierson.
