Ronald McDonald House® Orange County (RMHOC) celebrated its 17th Walk for Kids™ on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA. Over $440,000 was raised to support families who rely on the services, support and programs provided by RMHOC so they can stay close to their child in the hospital – a record-breaking year!
It was a day of celebration with the keynote alumni family speaker, Lana Clay – recognizing 35 years of being cancer-free since she utilized RMHOC in the early 1990s. “Ronald McDonald House truly raised me … What the House provided us was stability in that unknown moment [of navigating childhood cancer] and considers the whole wellbeing of the entire family. It really changed the trajectory of my life!” shared Lana. From providing stability and support for her family during her childhood cancer journey to creating a space to just be a kid – she now has a family of her own: husband Mark and two twin boys.
With over 1,300 walkers and over 1,300 additional donors from the community, featured walkers included the family who inspired the founding of the global organization, Ronald McDonald House® — Fred, Fran, Kristin and Kyle Hill, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California (RMHCSC) Board Chair Doug Kanner, and RMHOC Executive Director Noel Burcelis.
Multiple return teams broke their own fundraising records: championing the Top McDonald’s Team Award – Peace Love & Happy Meals, led by McDonald’s Frisbie Management and RMHOC Board member Sharon Macdonald raising over $22,000; Top Community Team Award – Alisha Cohen from Memory Lane, Inc. raising over $37,000; Top Corporate Team Award – Talonvest Capital, Inc., led by RMHOC Board member and co-founder of Talonvest Capital, Inc., Tom Sherlock, raising over $110,000 for the fourth consecutive year.
Over 160 community and corporate volunteers supported the Walk, allowing participating walkers to enjoy music, activities, and food thanks to generous sponsors:
Cargill
Coca-Cola
McDonald’s
Orange County Soccer Club
Talonvest Capital, Inc.
Assurant
Edwards Lifesciences
Memory Lane, Inc.
Philly’s Best
The Partner Masters
Tax Relief Advocates
Ventura Foods
Widdicombe Enterprises, Inc.
Advantech
Harmless Harvest
Morgan Stanley
New York Life
Pinner Construction
TheZenith
Dave & Buster’s
Kelly Partners & James Howard Accountants
Lazy Dog
Tustin Host Lions
Mad Hippie
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Wholly Guacamole | MegaMex
Wild Rivers
Orange County Parrot Head Club
Donations will continue to be received until May 8 at www.walkforkids.org/orangecounty.
