Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon has been baby Emma’s home for a lot of ‘firsts.’ Needing specialist care even before her birth, Emma was born at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Vancouver – the first baby born to a guest family at the new 73-bedroom Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon!

Throughout the first year and a half of her life, this happy little girl has needed monthly and sometimes bi-weekly trips to specialist clinics at BC Children’s Hospital, including neurology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and endocrinology. Thanks to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, her family has been able to stay by her side, helping her grow and reach important milestones.

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon provides accommodation and support for up to 2500 families each year when they must travel to Vancouver for their child’s life-saving medical care, and one third of the families we serve come from Vancouver Island.

For Emma’s mom Jessie, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon provides the safety of a community when she is away from home. “I’ve made some lifelong friends here at the House,” says Jessie. “You always have somebody to cry with, somebody to celebrate with, and a roof over your head.” Emma’s big sister Rhiannon can also come to stay, keeping the family together when they need each other the most.