Dream becomes reality as Ronald McDonald Family Room opens at Advocate Children's Hospital

The new Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge opened Wednesday, offering a comforting, quiet place for parents and families of critically ill children to rest and recharge.

The Family Room houses four private sleeping rooms, all equipped with en suite bathrooms, as well as a communal kitchen, dining room and living room.

"We serve about 10,000 children a year and we'll have about 16,000 visits to this room and about 600 families will stay within that room as it evolves forward," Mike Farrell, president of Advocate Children's Hospital, said Wednesday.

The 4,000 square-foot room is located adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Children's Hematology/Oncology Infusion Center.

An emotional and grateful Rachel Bussert on Wednesday told the story of her second son, Silas, who was experiencing respiratory distress after being born.

"The first thing everyone asked me is there a Ronald McDonald house nearby, because Ronald McDonald is so known in the community," she said. "Unfortunately, there was not one at that time. The space was still a dream and not a reality.

"So, I just want to say that I'm so thankful that this space has come to fruition," Bussert added. "Thanks to the generous and the hard work of so many people in this room today. Let me say that you really had an impact."