Stories from the house

5 years ago, Grayson Dowling came into the world weighing just 1 pound 3 ounces. He spent his first year in the hospital and his family was one of the first to stay in our 73-bedroom House. Today, RMH BC is still a home away from home for Grayson, and a place he loves to explore with his parents, big brother Kaiden and the RMH family he has grown up with.

Staying at Ronald McDonald House helped Abby and Sam find friends who knew exactly what they were going through.

When Nivan Sharma was diagnosed with cancer at age 15, Ronald McDonald House was his home away from home. Five years later, he missed it so much that he had to come back to volunteer! Now a biology student at UBC, Nivan helps run our weekly Let’s Talk Science program.

For the past year and a half, the Paul family has been staying at Ronald McDonald House while their 18-year-old son Tyson waited for a kidney transplant. Thanks to the community of support at RMH BC, they have been able to weather the storm and get to brighter days.

For the Ruljics from Victoria BC, strength runs in the family – and that strength has been tested more than most people can imagine in the past few months.

“I couldn’t imagine not having the House, and all the challenges that we would have if it wasn’t here,” says Amanda Orr.

Hear from mom Albina, in her own words, about the support she received at RMH BC.

When twins Max and Sullivan were born prematurely, staying at Ronald McDonald House helped their family stay together by their side, and get stronger together.

When 17-year-old Shannah needed a bone marrow transplant, RMH BC was their home for 130 days. Read about their experiences in their own words.

When baby Elliot needed brain surgery at only 31 days old, RMH BC helped to take care of his parents, so they could take care of him.

“One day we thought our daughter has growing pains, and the next we were being told that we had to get to Vancouver immediately,” remembers mom Toni Nicholls.

When baby Thatcher was flown to Vancouver for cancer treatment, RMH BC helped his family stay together just steps away from the hospital.

When 14-year-old Matthew was diagnosed with cancer, he needed to leave home right away – but thanks to RMH BC, his family could be with him every step of the way.

Little Elara Isagawa has probably had more experience with doctors and hospitals than most adults. At RMH BC, she and her family found more than a place to stay – they found a home away from home.

When her 17-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer and needed treatment in Vancouver, the RMH BC kitchens helped his mom form a special connection with other families.

When 16-year-old Hana and her parents needed to travel to Vancouver for surgery, there were many worries that ran through their minds. However, as soon as they checked into Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, they knew they were in the right place.

When baby Rosie needed heart surgery at only 4 months old, RMH BC helped take care of her parents so that they could stay by her side.

Since January, Gage has not been able to leave the hospital, but thanks to Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, his mom, dad Tyler, and little sister Savannah have been able to stay by Gage’s side every step of the way as he heals.

When baby Mabel was airlifted to Vancouver the day she was born, RMH BC became a safe, stable place for her mom and dad during stressful times.

When baby Maggie was born prematurely at only 2 pounds, the Ronald McDonald Family Room helped to take care of her parents during challenging times.

When the Dix family needed to travel nearly 24 hours for treatment, RMH BC helped bring them solace while they were so far from home.

When 9-year-old Kye was diagnosed with leukemia, he and his family spent 374 nights at RMH BC and found more than a House – they found a home.

Meet Gigha and the Roen family, who stayed RMH BC while she receives treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Since April 2023 when their daughter Maggie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, RMH BC has been a home away from home for the Bradshaw family. Hear in the own words how the House has helped to take care of the whole family and make special moments possible every day.

Since he was born prematurely in 2020, RMH BC has been a home away from home for Mason and his family when they need it most.

Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon was home for 18-year-old Jack for almost a full year while he received treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma.

When baby Harper was diagnosed with CDH before she was born, RMH BC became a home away from home for her family.

When Ella was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 7 years old, RMH BC was home for 10 months.

When 3-year-old Annalynn was diagnosed with cancer, her family faced an impossible situation – but RMH BC helped to ease their financial and emotional burdens.

“It was life-changing for us,” said parents Michelle and Dustin Dunlop about their stay at Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, when their daughter Grace needed 3 surgeries in her first year.

“RMH BC and Yukon was a bright light,” says mom Kelly Milotay. “It provided a constant when our world turned upside down.”