Fundraising Story

Meet Corinne & Zoie Meerse

What started as a creative outlet during treatment became something much more, as Zoie and her mom turned handmade keychains into meaningful support for families staying at the House.

$2600 Raised: Bead Chains Fundraiser

When Zoie Meerse was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon became so much more than a place to stay for her family. It was a place that they could stay safe, close to the hospital, and a place they could stay well through programs that supported the whole family.

Zoie and her mom Corinne stayed at Ronald McDonald House for 120 nights, and during long days of chemo and radiation treatments, they discovered a new favourite comfort activity: making silicone bead keychains. They ended up making over 250!

When they returned home to Chilliwack, they held a hot chocolate, cookie and keychain fundraiser and were able to raise $1500! They later set up a booth at the Yarrow Days parade and raised even more, all donated to Ronald McDonald House.

“We wholly appreciated our stay at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon and will forever be grateful for the amazing staff, building, food and so much more!” says Corinne. “It was such a blessing being able to stay somewhere that became home.”

Help More Families Stay Together

A gift today helps provide the care, spaces, and support families need to stay close to their child throughout treatment.

More Stories & Updates

Explore more stories of families staying together, community impact, and the people helping make care, comfort, and connection possible.

Meet the Chipoco Alva Family

When Luciana's twins arrived three months too soon, the Surrey Family Room let her stay just steps from the NICU, so she could be with her boys at 2 a.m., at 3 a.m., whenever they needed her.

Meet the Fedosov Family

Airlifted 12 hours from home, Mariah found relief in the Kamloops Family Room, right down the hall from baby Pearl.

Meet Navkirat Aulakh

For Navkirat, the Surrey Family Room became a home away from home when her baby Kabeer was in the NICU at the Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Meet Zoe Thompson

Inspired by her work in the House, Zoe Thompson raised nearly $1,500 by running the 2026 BMO Vancouver Marathon to help families stay close to their children during care.

Meet Tina Cheung

For Tina, every kilometre completed and every dollar raised helps ensure families can stay close to their sick child when they need each other most.

ADPi Diamond Ball

Raised $43,000 in 2026 Volunteer-led events that return year over year are truly the backbone of our community fundraising for families at Ronald McDonald House...

Meet Benji Williams

Inspired by his grandparents longtime Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon volunteers, Benji started his own bottle drive to help families staying at the House.

Meet Adora

As she was planning her move to Canada from the Philippines, Adora Alcance knew one thing for certain: she wanted to get involved in the...

Meet Anita

Anita's goal is to support families when they can’t stay at home, by giving them the next best thing: whatever each family needs to feel as close to home and normal as possible.

Meet Carmen C.

Carmen has been volunteering at Ronald McDonald House since 2023, after seeing the struggles that some of her family members went through during their time in the hospital.

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Marks One Year of Supporting Families in Kamloops

Ronald McDonald House Family Room welcomed 3,660 visits in its first year, helping families stay close during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Meet Chantal

Every Thursday, Chantal helps to provide a warm welcome for families experiencing difficult times.

Meet the Project Crew

Every Wednesday for the past 2 ½ years, Marianne, Loretta, Vivian, Winnie, and Harper have been taking time away from work and studies to make everyday moments possible for families at Ronald McDonald House.

Meet Taryn

One of our most popular Core Wellness Programs at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon is Meals From the Heart, and our in-House Chef Gabe...

McElhanney Cares Tournament

Keeping the doors open at our House and Family Rooms is a team effort – and each year we receive tremendous support and inspiration from the teams who take part in the McElhanney Cares Tournament.

Super Dave Classic

For the past few years, this group of college buddies has set an incredible tradition: running marathons and competing to see who can run the fastest.

When Families Stay, Care Is Stronger

When a child is seriously ill, everything else falls away. Days blur into nights, decisions feel heavier, and the routines that once grounded a family disappear. In the middle of it all, families do what they have always done, they show up, again and again, for the person who needs them most.

Meet Ray Fung

Ray took on his first Olympic-distance triathlon, pushing through every kilometre to raise funds that help families stay close to their child’s care.

Meet Dewey

Dewey helps prepare meals, so families have one less thing to worry about during their day. Instead of cooking or cleaning, families can spend that time together. For Dewey, it’s simple: you leave knowing you made a real impact.

Meet Jennifer & Bob Gardner

What began as a simple way to give back became something more, as Jennifer and Bob saw firsthand the realities families face and the importance of having a place to stay together. Through both their time and monthly support, they help create a steady, welcoming place for families.

2025 Data Shows Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Is Essential Part of the Pediatric Health Care System for Vancouver Island Families

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 16, 2026 Vancouver, BC – Year-end data from Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon highlights the significant number of Vancouver Island families...

2025 Data Shows Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Is Essential Part of the Pediatric Health Care System for Interior BC Families

or Immediate ReleaseMarch 16, 2026 Vancouver, BC – Year-end data from Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon highlights the significant number of Interior BC families...

2025 Data Shows Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Is Essential Part of the Pediatric Health Care System for Northern BC Families

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 16, 2026 Vancouver, BC – Year-end data from Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon highlights the significant number of Northern BC families...

Why Healing Depends on Families Staying Together

New brief highlights how distance, stability, and family support increasingly shape pediatric care outcomes across the province

Grand Opening of Ronald McDonald House Family Room at University Hospital of Northern BC

In partnership with McDonald’s Restaurants, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Northern Health and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation (SNHF), will celebrate the...

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Launches “When Family Stays, Joy Finds a Way” Campaign to Support Families This Holiday Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 10, 2025 Vancouver, BC — For families with a seriously ill child, the holidays can be a time when the distance between...