Shawcross family grateful for Ronald McDonald House support as daughter Riley faces ‘lifelong condition’

A Margaret River family have heaped thanks and praise on the charitable arm of McDonald’s Australia, saying the treatment of their daughter for an ultra-rare genetic conditions would have been nearly impossible without help. Ronald McDonald House in Perth has been a sanctuary away from home for local woman Stephanie Shawcross, her husband Henry, and their young daughter Riley. Riley was born with a little-known condition called multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome, of which there are only about 60 cases worldwide. “Riley had open-heart surgery when she was nine weeks old, which led to the medical team discovering her condition,” Ms Shawcross said. “She had trouble with digestion, swallowing and gross motor movements as she grew, and in July of 2024, she had her first stroke.” The four-year-old has had increasing medical intervention, including brain surgery in July, after which Riley had her most damaging stroke yet, interrupting rehabilitation at Perth Children’s Hospital. The heartbreaking developments were eased by access to accommodation, and Ms Shawcross said Ronald McDonald House Charities had proven a lifeline. “Riley’s condition is lifelong and non-improving,” Ms Shawcross said. “There is no cure, and due to the low number of cases, medical professionals globally are still working out the best ways to support the patients. “This means we will have many more hospital stays ahead of us, but we feel so lucky to be supported by an incredible team at PCH who take the most wonderful care of our girl, but also to the RMHC, for without them we would not be able to do all this as a family.” With the corporation’s main fundraising effort, McHappy Day, slated for Saturday, November 15, Ms Shawcross urged people wanting to help regional communities to get involved. McDonald’s will give $2 from every Big Mac sold on the day to RMHC, and is also selling a limited range of merchandise to add to the fundraising efforts.