Big Ben Gives Hard Hat Tour At Site Of New Ronald McDonald House

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led a tour of the site of the new Ronald McDonald House in Lawrenceville Tuesday morning.

The Ronald McDonald House will be a brand-new facility attached to the new Children's Hospital, which moved from Oakland this weekend to Lawrenceville.

“You have to close your eyes and envision it,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s gonna be awesome.”

The Ronald McDonald House will provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children who are receiving medical care at Children's Hospital and other medical facilities in Pittsburgh.

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McDonald's and Roethlisberger's special guest Tuesday was Hailey Burkett, an 11-year-old with a genetic liver disease. She is the kind of resident the house will serve.

The house will put up 66 families per night in suites, which include a family room, kitchen, private sleeping quarters, flat panel televisions and wireless Internet connection.

Not only does the house relieve some of the financial burden the families have to shoulder, but it can also relieve some of the child’s anxiety before surgery.

“(Burkett) met a little boy who had the same surgery,” Big Ben told Channel 11 News. “He showed her the scar, and she was nervous, but then she was OK. It’s good for the kids to interact -- to just be kids.”

"We realize sometimes you feel how lucky we are to be healthy, and we talked to the doctor and so that will be great and have surgery here coming up the end of this month and we'll keep her in our prayers," said Roethlisberger.

In the past, Roethlisberger has donated several thousand dollars to The Ronald McDonald House Charities.