Most mums understand how lucky they are to have a healthy baby. But as Saturday 14 November approaches, McHappy Day is asking all mums to give some thought to those that haven't been as blessed.

Queensland mum, Karren Sewell, understands what it's like to have a baby daughter who's spent most of her short life in hospital. Karren's daughter Jamie was born by emergency Caesarean at 39 weeks. Afterwards, Karren recalls being told by doctors that Jamie had a VACTERL association, a group of abnormalities that has no explanation of how they developed. On her first day of life, she had a colostomy bag put in place. She required heart surgery at three-and-a-half months. She only has one kidney and no bladder. And she has just three toes, which will need to be amputated between 12 to 18 months.

During this extremely difficult time, Karren arranged for her mum in Roma, rural Queensland, to care for her other two daughters, aged three and two, while she and Jamie stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Herston (Brisbane). "If it weren’t for Ronald McDonald House we'd be hopelessly lost," explains Karren who admits that meeting other families in similar situations helped pull her through a very difficult time.

Karren is especially grateful to the staff at Ronald McDonald House Herston, in particular House Manager Geraldine Donaghy. "Geraldine is a ball of energy," says Karren. "She’s an inspiration, an absolutely amazing woman who is always happy to listen when you need to talk. In a way, she's like a mother - she has a very nurturing side. The House is lucky to have a lady like her."

"It’s finding yourself in a situation like this that makes me realise how lucky I am to be blessed with three of the most beautiful, strong and brave little girls," says Karren. "They are all amazing, each in their own way. This whole experience has taught me to never take things for granted. I've also learned that strength can come from the smallest thing – just from looking into Jamie’s eyes, for instance. Look into the eyes of a child and you find strength within you that you never knew you had."

McHappy Day is aiming to raise $2.5 million this year to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and families such as Karren's. And this year, busy mums don’t have to wait until Saturday 14 November to help out. A new website, mchappyday.com.au is now live and will be accepting donations until McHappy Day.

Celebrity mums such as Channel 7 Morning Show host Klyie Gillies are also taking time out to support families like Karren's. "I understand what it's like being a mum and wanting your family to be happy and healthy," explains Kylie. After raising initial money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) this year as part of Dancing with the Stars and seeing firsthand how this helps keep families with seriously ill children together during hospital stays and treatments, I wanted to do more. I’m hoping to lead by example and am calling on all mums to find five minutes during their day to go online at mchappyday.com.au and make a small donation to spread happiness to families in need."

Other McHappy Day National Ambassadors include Channel 9 Weekend Today Show presenter and former Australian cricketer Michael Slater and Miss Universe Australia and Channel 10 Celebrity Masterchef contestant Rachael Finch.

One of Australia’s longest running charity events, McHappy Day, is the annual fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) which aims to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. The various programs supported by McHappy Day include the 13 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country (with a 14th one on the way in Orange, NSW), the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Program, Ronald McDonald Family Room Program and the RMHC Blood Cord Bank Program.

With many of Australia's favourite personalities lending a hand, head to your local McDonald's restaurant on November 14, 2009, and you could be served your Big Mac by one of a host of well known celebrities. $1 from every Big Mac sold will go directly to funding RMHC programs, with proceeds from Byron Bay Cookies, McHappy Day Wristbands and Crazy Straws also going to RMHC.

It's never been easier to help seriously ill children and their families. Go online and help Ronald McDonald House Charities make it possible for seriously ill children to stay close to their loved ones. Donate now at mchappyday.com.au today.

website:    mchappyday.com.au