Before Mason Douglas was born, RMH BC helped to take care of his mom Jocelyn during her high-risk pregnancy. Later, while he was in the NICU, the House helped Jocelyn to stay by his side every step of the way. For 3-year-old Mason, RMH BC is now a fun new world of friends, play and festivity while he recovers from surgery. Now that they have stayed 4 times for a total of 95 nights.

“When I first found out I had to come to Vancouver, I felt terrified, and alone,” remembers mom Jocelyn Douglas. During this frightening time, Jocelyn was grateful to check in to Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, with its services to support families and the familiar faces every day that formed a community of support.

Jocelyn looks back particularly fondly on the Christmas at the House, as donors and volunteers ensured that ‘Santa’ never missed a family staying at RMH BC. “It was tight, being down here,” she shared. “We didn’t know if we’d be able to do Christmas – and it literally gave us the opportunity to give to our kids, which is what I love most.”

When 6-year-old Duncan was diagnosed with leukemia, his family needed to put their lives on hold and leave immediately for Vancouver — a 7-hour drive away. They didn’t know what to do or where they would be able to stay, and that’s when they found out about Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon.

They were relieved to have a safe place to stay together just steps away from the hospital, but what they didn’t expect were all of the Wellness Programs offered for sick children, their siblings, and caregivers as well. The Family Meals program helped to relieve stress for parents Kelli and Brandon, while siblings Duncan and Chelley were able to take part in programs like Art Therapy and the Education Program, helping them to simply be kids again during difficult times.

The House also made possible simple everyday moments in between treatments, like riding bikes outside or play dates with friends. “Everybody here is a family and we’re all in it together,” shared Kelli and Brandon. “Simply put, RMH BC & Yukon is our home right now, and we can live as normal a life as we can.”

“It was basically panic,” remembers dad Stephen Hawkes about the day he found out his daughter Ella had cancer. The only treatment available was in Vancouver, and they didn’t know where they would be able to stay. They ended up being away from home for 10 months straight, and only went home twice.

Thankfully they found a home away from home at Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, just steps away from the hospital. Programs at the House such as Family Meals helped to ease the burden on Stephen and Angie, taking care of day to day concerns so they could focus on the most important thing: Ella’s treatment.

When Ella was feeling well enough, she loved to attend programs in the House such as Art and Music Therapy, and loved making new creations in the LEGO room. Stephen and Angie were happy that Ella was able to have this relief from isolation, together with friends who fully understood her situation.

“Supporting RMH BC & Yukon is the best way to support families that are going through difficult times, says Stephen. “Ella couldn’t be treated in Victoria, and children need their families with them.”

In April of 2023, Sara and Annika Kloosterschmuck were preparing to welcome their second child Harper, when they received news they never expected to hear. An ultrasound revealed that Harper had a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH, and her right lung was collapsed. The family was immediately told to go to BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, where Harper would need intensive care at birth. “We had no plan,” remembers Sara. “It was so out of the blue.”

They immediately left work and travelled to Vancouver with many questions still unanswered, such as where could they stay with their 2-year-old son Theo. When they found out they would be able to stay together just steps from the hospital at RMH BC & Yukon, it was a huge relief: “That’s the beautiful part of Ronald McDonald House: keeping the whole family together through a stressful time,” says mom Annika.

During their stay it was the simple everyday things that made all the difference — such as having a community of support from other families facing medical challenges. At every stage of the family’s journey, from high-risk pregnancy to the NICU, there was always someone who could relate.

When 8-year-old Vian was diagnosed with Lymphoma, his parents didn’t know what to expect. The Raj family had recently immigrated to Canada, and felt like they had nowhere to turn for accommodation near the hospital. When they found out that there was a place to stay at RMH BC & Yukon, it was a great relief.

“At first, we were simply grateful to have a place close to the hospital where we could take a shower or sleep, “remembers mom Neha.” But as soon as Vian was able to leave the hospital and all three of us could stay together, that’s when we really understood what it meant to stay at RMH BC & Yukon. All of the programs, like Medical Play and Music Therapy kept him busy, which was a big part of his recovery. Because he was happy, because he was playful, the chemo and other therapies didn’t bother him as much.”

The Raj family also enjoyed holiday celebrations at the House, from Diwali to Christmas, and making home cooked meals alongside other families in the RMH BC & Yukon kitchens.

When Thatcher was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at just four months old, he and his parents were immediately airlifted to Vancouver, 8 hours away from home. They were told that treatment would take months — and for this family of five, their first worry was, how would they stay together?

When they were able to check in to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, the relief they felt was overwhelming. Staying at the House meant that the whole family could stay together to celebrate birthdays and holidays, keeping up with favourite traditions and creating new ones.

Now three years old, Thatcher and his family need to make the long drive to Vancouver several times a year for checkups and remain grateful for their home away from home. “We ended up spending Thatcher’s first Christmas at RMH BC & Yukon instead of at home with our family,” said Mark and Keri. “At first it was really challenging to think about. But it turned out to be one of our most magical Christmases that we spent together. We’re forever grateful for the donors who have helped make the holiday season so amazing.”