Nov. 17, 2006

HOUSTON, Texas -

Nov. 17, 2006

Conference USA volleyball players and coaches spent part of Thursday morning visiting the Ronald McDonald House of Houston at the Texas Children's Hospital, as part of C-USA's efforts to become the best Division I-A collegiate conference in athletics, academics and in the community. Three league coaches, along with nine student-athletes- including Memphis coach Carrie Yerty, and seniors Christen Clayton, Melissa Nance and Colette Ramirez- participated in the visit spending time in the various rooms talking with the young children and handing out autographed visors and other gifts.

From the time that the Ronald McDonald House of Houston opened its doors in 1981 the mission has been to offer a home away from home to the families of these children while they undergo treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses at a Texas Medical Center institution.

In 2001, RMH of Houston opened two Family Rooms within Texas Children's Hospital. One serves the inpatient section of Hematology/Oncology and the Bone Marrow Transplant section of TCH. The second Family Room serves the Texas Children's Cancer Center Outpatient Clinic. In October 2002, RMH opened an additional House inside Texas Children's for families whose children are in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Units. In 2006, RMH will open a third House, a 14-bedroom facility serving the ICU area inside Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital.

Ronald McDonald House answers the special needs of these families by offering loving, home like environments where they can find support from one another as they share experiences with others who are also undergoing the trauma of childhood illness.

RMH is able to operate these facilities thanks to the generous gifts of time and financial support from individuals, companies, and foundations from throughout the community.

Karen Guzman, Hospital Programs Coordinator and visit liaison for the day, said that having visitors for the children makes for an exciting day.

"We loved having the athletes visit the Ronald McDonald Family Room, as visitors always make for an exciting day," Guzman said. "There were many smiles put on little faces and I'm sure the visit encouraged many student-athletes to purse their talent."

For more information on the Ronald McDonald House of Houston, visit www.ronaldmcdonaldhousehouston.org.

The 2006 Conference USA Volleyball Championship is being hosted by the University of Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion. Quarterfinal matches begin Friday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. CT.

http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/111706aan.html - Website Release