SAN ANTONIO — Think of it as a home away from home for families with seriously ill kids in the hospital.
The Ronald McDonald House at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio officially opened its doors on Tuesday.
Back in 2012, the existing Ronald McDonald House was demolished to make way for a new, larger facility.
The new house can hold up to 16 families, so that parents have a place to stay near their child.
The house also allows families going through tough times to support each other.
"If one parent says to another parent, I know what you're going through, they truly do hear and can kind of give another parent pointers, things to expect, questions to ask the doctors and it really helps the families that are staying here,” said Pat Bivin, Ronald McDonald House, San Antonio.
This is the third Ronald McDonald House in the Alamo City. The first house opened in 1985.