Mumbai, Mar 17th: The Lions Club of Juhu has donated a dedicated patient transport van to Ronald McDonald House India to support families staying at the House in Mahim, Mumbai. The initiative has been made possible through a collaboration with the Lions Clubs International Foundation India (LCIF) India and the generous support of Shri. Dhaval Parekh & Family and the RKG Ark Foundation of Lion Rajesh Agarwal, who contributed to the effort as part of the Lions Club of Juhu’s ongoing community service initiatives.
Reliable transportation is an essential part of this support system. Families with kids suffering from cancer and other critical illness staying at the House travel frequently to hospitals for medical procedures, consultations, and follow-up care. The van will provide free transportation between Ronald McDonald House India and partner hospitals in Mumbai. The van will accommodate up to 12-14 passengers at a time, ensuring families can travel safely and conveniently.
At its Mumbai House, located in Mahim, families are provided with free accommodation and essential support services so they can remain close to the hospitals where their children are receiving treatment. The House offers private rooms, free nutritious meals, hygienic living spaces, and psychosocial support, creating a stable environment for families during long and demanding treatment cycles. It supports families traveling to Mumbai from across Maharashtra and neighbouring states for their children’s medical journeys.
Smita Jatia, Chairperson, Ronald McDonald House India said, “At Ronald McDonald House India, we stand with families whose children are battling serious illnesses, often far away from home. For many parents who travel to a busy city like Mumbai seeking life-saving treatment for their child, the emotional and practical challenges can feel overwhelming. Our endeavour is to ease some of that burden by providing a supportive space where families can stay close to the hospital, find comfort and community, and focus their energy on what matters most, their child’s care and recovery.
Something as practical as dependable transport between the House and the hospital can ease a great deal of stress for these families. This van will help parents and children travel safely and comfortably for treatment, making their daily routine a little easier during an otherwise challenging time.
We are truly grateful to the Lions Club of Juhu, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) India and the generous donors whose support has made this possible and helped us continue strengthening the circle of care around these families.”
Past District Governor Lion Umesh Gandhi, Project Coordinator of Lions Club of Juhu, said, “Supporting Ronald McDonald House Mahim, India, aligns with our commitment to serve communities where help is needed most. By providing this transport facility, we hope to ease the practical challenges families face while focusing on their child’s treatment and recovery.”
The donation reflects the shared commitment of the Lions Club of Juhu, LCIF India, its donors, and Ronald McDonald House India, Mahim to strengthening support systems for families navigating critical healthcare journeys. He acknowledged the generous donation and reposing confidence in the Lions Club of Juhu by Shri. Dhaval Parekh & Family and Lion Rajesh Agarwal of the RKG Ark Foundation to fulfil our obligation towards the community. He further acknowledged the efforts put on under the Leadership of President Lion Akshay Mehta by Lion Pranav Bhagat, Lion Shailesh Mehta, and FRC Team Lion Rahul Narula, Lion Rajesh Shah and Lion Shambhubhai Trivedi.
Ronald McDonald House India is the Indian chapter of the global Ronald McDonald House network. The India chapter has been supporting families for a decade, having helped over 35,000 families across programs. The initiative has also seen over 1000+ volunteers engaging with the program to help kids and families. These programs cater to families from rural and low-income communities offering essential care and stability. The family-centred care model ensures stronger coping and better healing outcomes.
