To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHARLOTTE – Help is coming to families of children with serious illnesses in Charlotte, as crews have started work on preparing for the Queen City’s first Ronald McDonald House.

The homes provide shelter for families of sick children close to the hospital their child is being treated at. When finished, the Charlotte facility will be able to accommodate more than 25 families each night.

That’s great news for families like the Lackeys. They’ve spent more than seven years traveling to hospitals across the country for treatment of their son’s disease.

"Most kids with his disease don't live past the age of 12 without a transplant,” said Kayla Lackey of her son, Will, who will soon turn 12.

The Lackey family has stopped at three different Ronald McDonald Houses over the years.

"Other than I guess the financial support -- which is providing a place to stay… a home away from home -- the emotional support is just as important,” said Lackey.

The $9 million project is coming to a city with two large children’s hospitals and many families traveling to Charlotte to take care of their kids. The 28-bedroom, 35,000 square-ft. house will be there to help.

"It's very overwhelming and very stressful to be here with a child in crisis and try to figure out this city, try to find where to stay, where's safe, where to eat, where to go,” explained
Mona Johnson-Gibson, the executive director of the Charlotte House.

Ground breaking is scheduled for the end of January after the land is prepared. Two houses on East Morehead Street are being demolished to make way for the new building.

The plan is to have the House open by the end of the year.