“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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.