Every year, McDonald’s restaurants across the country take part in their largest annual fundraiser, McHappy Day for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The fundraiser helps seriously ill and injured children and their families stay together while receiving medical care in hospital.
For Tatura residents and parents Henry and Romela Socorin, McHappy Day is a day they now hold close to their hearts. It reminds them of the invaluable services they received during one of their toughest challenges.
“With open arms” were the words they repeatedly used to describe the welcome and ongoing support they received from one of Melbourne’s Ronald McDonald Houses after their last-born son, Denmark, needed life-saving heart surgery.
During pregnancy, Mrs Socorin was told their unborn son had Down syndrome. At birth, Denmark was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, which is a hole in the heart and is more commonly known as a congenital heart defect.
The hole was between his lower heart chambers (right and left ventricles) and allowed oxygen-rich blood to move back into his lungs instead of being pumped to the rest of his body.
Denmark was a tiny 1.2kg when born and needed to be 3kg before he could undertake life-saving heart surgery. Mr and Mrs Socorin said it was a stressful time but became an unforgettable experience, thanks to the kindness of the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
“You never think it’s going to happen to you, then it does,” Mr Socorin said.
“When Romela was transferred to The Royal Women’s Hospital at 36 weeks’ pregnant last November, I started to worry. Where are we going to stay? How much is this going to cost us? We didn’t know anyone in Melbourne, and we have two other children in school. So many questions and so many concerns — it was a hard time for us all.
“Then, when Denmark was born and diagnosed with VSD, we had a social worker reach out to us and tell us about Ronald McDonald House. Within a few days after speaking with the charity, our family was given a place to stay, and we were welcomed with open arms.”
Mr and Mrs Socorin’s children, France, 12, and Spain, 8, described the experience to their parents as a “holiday”, as if they were staying in a hotel.
“They loved it,” Mrs Socorin said.
“We had Christmas and new year in there, and every day they had activities for them to do; they made gingerbread houses, were given gifts, and there was a whole floor that was an area where the kids could just play.”
Mr Socorin said the Ronald McDonald House felt like a home.
“There were about 10 other families there at the same time, and we made so many friends,” he said.
“No-one compared anyone’s journeys or struggles; everyone was treated with respect and as equals, and everyone supported one another while checking on each other’s kids.
“It was an opportunity to get through the tough times while also making new memories and having time to reflect in different ways we hadn’t before.
“Everyone goes above and beyond to help in any way they can. The boys labelling the experience as near to a holiday was close to true. It’s like a community inside a large house, and the interaction between everyone was incredible.”
In February, Denmark was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital for surgery. Today, he is doing well. He wakes most days at 5am with smiles, and his brothers fight over who can hold him first.
As McHappy Day on Saturday, November 18 draws closer, the family have an important message to share.
“There is no amount of money that could have given us what they did,” Mr Socorin said.
“The joy it not only brings to sick kids but all kids and families is hard to put into words.
“We know first-hand what the services include. They bring loved ones closer, help people stay connected emotionally and allow people to cope through hardship.”
From now until McHappy Day, anyone can pick up a pair of exclusive Grimace- or Hamburglar-themed Silly Socks or Helping Hands from their local McDonald’s store, with all profits going directly to RMHC.
Alternatively, on the day, $2 from every Big Mac sold goes directly to the charity.
For more than three decades, McHappy Day has raised over $61 million to help keep Australian families of seriously ill and injured children together in their time of need.
“Open up your hearts and get among the charity because there is nothing else like it,” Mr Socorin said.
“It’s like a home away from home and a big family with open arms.”