Representatives of Ronald McDonald House, Rochester and The Maddie B. Childhood Cancer Foundation joined UR Medicine Thompson Health officials recently to launche “The Thompson Trolley,” a hospitality cart which will now serve pediatric patients at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua.
The Ronald McDonald House, Rochester currently operates four other hospitality carts at hospitals and outpatient locations in Rochester and the surrounding area, but this cart represents its first program outside of Monroe County. It will provide healthy snacks, refreshments, toys, and books.
According to Ronald McDonald House, Rochester President/CEO JoAnne Ryan, the organization has been providing supportive services for families in this region for over 35 years.
“Our mission addresses the health care ‘quintuple aim’ by improving the overall patient experience and population health, reducing clinician burnout, and reducing costs while increasing quality, and advancing health equity. With the launch of the Thompson Trolley, Ronald McDonald House, Rochester is bringing the supportive care we are known for to a new community,” Ryan said, referring to the cart as “hospitality and happiness on wheels.”
The family of Madison Kait Barthelmes, who founded the Maddie B. Childhood Cancer Foundation and its “Mighty for Madison” programs in her memory, was on hand for the event. Their organization is stocking the cart with toys and books. Many feature a sticker with a photo of Madison and the words “Toys for Joys.”
Madison’s father, John Barthelmes of Fairport, told those gathered for the launch that Madison was 5 when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He stayed overnight during her first night in Golisano Children’s Hospital and recalled that it felt scary and somewhat lonely, until someone came into the room with a toy.
“The thing I remember most was it made Maddie happy, and it made her a little more comfortable,” he said as her mother, Kaitlyn, and her two younger siblings looked on.
Barthelmes said Madison wound up spending 300 days in the hospital, and any time someone presented her with a toy, it brought a smile. died at the age of 6 in 2023, following a year-long battle.
“We’re not going to give up that fight and we’re not going to give up her memory,” he said. “No matter what the child is going through, having a toy is going to make a big, big difference, and for the parent, that makes a big, big difference.”