sponsor a family’s wish list

The Giving Tree

In this special annual tradition, The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver will be partnering with Ronald McDonald House to spread tidings of love and joy to local families this holiday season. We invite you to join us in this wonderful opportunity to give back and help make it a magical time of year for families in need.

Meet seven featured families supported by the Ronald McDonald House BC and learn about their individual stories: Ashmawy, Groves, Mastroianni, Penney, Roen, Van Damme and Verdeflor families.

Thank you for your support.

Proud Supporter
RMHC

The Giving Tree —
In Association with
Ronald McDonald
House Charities

sponsor a family’s wish list

Campbell River, BC

When 5-year-old Rose was diagnosed with leukemia and needed treatment in Vancouver, one of her parents’ first worries was: where could they possibly stay for such a long time?

That’s when they found out about RMH BC, and were grateful to have not only comfortable accommodation right next to hospital, but also a place for their kids to run and play together while Rose went through treatment. At the House, Rose can take a break from hospital visits and treatments and simply be a kid; her favourite way to unwind is arts and crafts. Her brother Zain can usually be found on the Sport Court, playing cars or soccer.

For parents Sameh and Eman, the House helps reduce their stress and emotional burden. “With a sick child, it’s not every day that we’re in the ideal state of mind to look after the kids perfectly. This place, the programs and resources, and the meals – it takes care of everything,” says Sameh.

Victoria, BC

“We knew at Henry’s 20 week ultrasound that he had kidney problems, and then in November it happened really fast – his kidneys were failing,” remembers mom Lisa. Little Henry needed ongoing dialysis treatments, and they could only be administered in Vancouver.

Lisa, dad Steven, and Henry left their home in Victoria indefinitely to stay near the hospital in Vancouver. At the House, programs like Family Meals helped to ease the financial and emotional burdens on their family. Steven could find comfortable spaces in the House to continue working remotely. And the House became more than just a place to stay, it became a community filled with lifelong friends who have helped them to cope with an impossible situation.

“We’re still coming to terms with it, and still trying to figure out how to continue with life and work away from home,” says Lisa. “But I really don’t know how we would have done it without RMH BC.”

Prince Rupert, BC

When Isaac was diagnosed with cancer on “the worst April Fool’s day ever,” he and his family needed to travel to Vancouver for long-term chemotherapy treatments.

For Isaac, the House became a break for the hospital, a place where he could go outside and play basketball, or spend an afternoon playing video games with friends who are also going through treatment. RMH BC has also taken care of Isaac’s whole family. Isaac’s younger sister Jillian has been with him every step of the way, and at the House she also has kids to connect with who know what it’s like when your sibling is sick. The whole family appreciates the many activities around the House that help provide a break from the hospital.

Throughout their stay the family was inspired by the generosity they have seen from donors and volunteers. “We can’t say thank you enough,” says dad Mark. “You took away one of the major stresses – where are we going to stay – and took away a lot of the cost as well, so we can focus on being together and getting through each day.”

Salmon Arm, BC

For the Penney family, staying at RMH BC has been priceless because it has allowed 6-year-old Savannah (above) to stay close to her 9-year-old brother Gage, who spent several months in the hospital during his treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The siblings are very close and Gage always feels a boost from having his sister visit him in the hospital. When Savannah needs a break from the hospital, RMH BC is a kid friendly place for her to come home to, and she loves playing outside (rain or shine) and going down the slide.

For parents Marlena and Tyler, the House is a place to take a break and have some much-needed stress relief, either in the fitness centre or as part of the massage therapy program. At the House, they have the privacy and space to take quiet time for themselves, and can also find a community of support when they need it “RMH BC truly has taken a lot of stress off our shoulders, to be able to walk away from the hospital, find some calmness, and collect ourselves again – and it’s so close that we can walk back and forth!” says Marlena.

Kelowna, BC

When Gigha Roen was diagnosed with cancer at age 14, she and her mom had to relocate to Vancouver, trading school, sports, band practice, and friends, for doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy sessions. They were scared and didn’t know what to expect – until they found a community of support at RMH BC, with new friends who were experiencing the same situation.

The family has now stayed several times, with their most recent stay being 268 nights! What keeps them positive throughout their journey is being able to walk every day to and from their appointments, taking a much-needed break in the fresh air, and taking part in RMH BC’s Wellness Programs such as art therapy and out-trips to events like Canucks games.

Staying at the House also means that their family can be together more often, offering space for Gigha’s dad and big sister to visit on weekends. “Our family at home all worry about us, but I tell them we are well taken care of!” says mom Mei about their time at RMH BC.

Ladysmith, BC

For the Van Damme family from Ladysmith, BC, life changed quickly when 6-year-old Connor was diagnosed with cancer – and they found themselves on a plane to Vancouver that same day. Parents Caroline and Mike found out that they could expect to stay in Vancouver for almost a year, and they didn’t know where they could stay as a family of four. That’s when they found out about RMH BC.

“We really wanted to make this year feel as normal as possible for Connor,” says Caroline, and staying at RMH BC has helped them to do just that. At the House, Connor and his big brother Mark have space to play, usually in the LEGO lounge or out on the Sport Court playing hockey or baseball. When Connor isn’t feeling well, their room is a comfortable space to relax together as a family. The Van Dammes have also appreciated having a community of other families who are experiencing similar situations – from other kids for the boys to play with, and other parents to lean on for advice, or to celebrate important milestones with.

Dawson City, YT

When Kye Verdeflor was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 9, he and his family had to pack their bags right away, as their small community of Dawson City could not provide the complex care he needed. The Verdeflors travelled 7 hours to Whitehorse, and then boarded a plane for Vancouver.

When they heard about RMH BC, they expected just a place to stay, but were blown away by the play spaces, the Wellness Programs, the fish in the courtyards, and the big yellow slide in the living room. For the family, the House truly became a home where they could celebrate the holidays and help time pass by playing games and learning new skills like painting. For mom Lilibeth, the House was also a safe place where she could unwind through programs such as Massage Therapy, helping her to care for Kye through 11 months of treatment.

“Kye has had rough days in treatment but here he has good times. As a mom I’m glad that he remembers the good times more than the bad ones,” says Lilibeth.

The Ashmawy Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#1.01
Meal delivery gift cards
For Parents
Meal delivery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#1.02
Coffee gift cards
For Parents
Coffee gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#1.03
Toiletry Kits
For Parents
Toiletry Kits
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#1.04
LEGO
For Kids
LEGO
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#1.05
Disney or Star Wars toys
For Kids
Disney or Star Wars toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#1.06
Barbies
For Kids
Barbies
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#1.07
Playmobil toys
For Babies
Playmobil toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#1.08
Baby monitors
For Babies
Baby monitors
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#1.09
Sleep lights & sounds
For Babies
Sleep lights & sounds
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#1.10
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Groves Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#2.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#2.02
Coffee gift cards
For Parents
Coffee gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#2.03
Meal deilvery gift cards
For Parents
Meal deilvery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#2.04
LEGO
For Kids
LEGO
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#2.05
Arts & crafts
For Kids
Arts & crafts
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#2.06
Learning games
For Kids
Learning games
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#2.07
Teething toys
For Babies
Teething toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#2.08
Sleepers
For Babies
Sleepers
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Babies
#2.09
Fisher Price toys
For Babies
Fisher Price toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#2.10
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Mastroianni Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#3.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#3.02
Adult Colouring Books
For Parents
Adult Colouring Books
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#3.03
Toiletry Kits
For Parents
Toiletry Kits
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#3.04
Headphones
For Teens
Headphones
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#3.05
Headphones
For Teens
Headphones
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#3.06
Current 2023 video games
For Teens
Current 2023 video games
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#3.07
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Penney Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#4.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#4.02
Coffee gift cards
For Parents
Coffee gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#4.03
Meal deilvery gift cards
For Parents
Meal deilvery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.04
Barbies
For Kids
Barbies
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.05
Baby Alive dolls
For Kids
Baby Alive dolls
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.06
Learning games
For Kids
Learning games
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.07
Remote control toys
For Kids
Remote control toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.08
LEGO
For Kids
LEGO
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#4.09
Super Mario toys
For Kids
Super Mario toys
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#4.10
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Roen Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#5.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#5.02
Coffee gift cards
For Parents
Coffee gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#5.03
Meal deilvery gift cards
For Parents
Meal deilvery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#5.04
Electronics
For Teens
Electronics
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#5.05
Salon items
For Teens
Salon items
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Teens
#5.06
Sports apparel (jerseys, hats)
For Teens
Sports apparel (jerseys, hats)
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#5.07
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Van Damme Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#6.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#6.02
Coffee gift cards
For Parents
Coffee gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#6.03
Meal deilvery gift cards
For Parents
Meal deilvery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.04
LEGO
For Kids
LEGO
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.05
Cars and car tracks
For Kids
Cars and car tracks
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.06
Play Dough
For Kids
Play Dough
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.07
Video games
For Kids
Video games
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.08
Sports equipment
For Kids
Sports equipment
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#6.09
STEM Kits
For Kids
STEM Kits
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#6.10
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

The Verdeflor Family Suggested Gifts

For Parents
#7.01
Gas gift cards
For Parents
Gas gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#7.02
Spa items
For Parents
Spa items
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Parents
#7.03
Meal deilvery gift cards
For Parents
Meal deilvery gift cards
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#7.04
LEGO
For Kids
LEGO
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#7.05
Learning games
For Kids
Learning games
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Kids
#7.06
Arts and craft kits
For Kids
Arts and craft kits
Gift Purchased —
Thank You
For Whole Family
#7.07
$100 grocery gift card
For Whole Family
$100 grocery gift card
Gift Purchased —
Thank You

Buy a Gift

We thank you for your generosity. Kindly fill out the form below to record to your gift contribution.

Please note that we welcome new, unopened, unwrapped gifts only.

  • See gift card above, format: N.NN

MAKE A DONATION

Can’t decide which family or gift to sponsor? Donate to the Ronald McDonald House – British Columbia & Yukon fund to support all families this festive season.