Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver celebrates 30 years
Posted August 29, 2013 7:29 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A very special home in Vancouver for seriously ill children and their families is celebrating a milestone today.
Ronald McDonald House is turning 30, having supported more than 12,000 families from across BC and the Yukon since 1983.
“We are so very proud of serving families in need for three decades in the province,” says CEO Richard Pass. “Keeping families together helps the children heal.”
Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families when they have to travel for Vancouver to have treatment at BC Children’s Hospital. Pass says the average stay is two to nine months for most families; but some stay up to two years, depending on the treatment.
“The worst possible thing has happened to the family; their child is seriously ill, they don’t know anyone or have anywhere to stay in Vancouver, and the costs of a hotel and figuring everything out are enormous. The ability to stay in a safe and secure place with families going through similar situations — you can have that support — is really important,” he tells News1130.
“The families, when they come in, it’s such a unique experience as they meet other families and the children meet other children who are going through similar situations and in different parts of the process of their medical journey. They’re able to talk to each other about what’s going on on a day-to-day basis and what the medications are doing,” says Pass.
“That support — and keeping the family together — is really helpful when the children are healing.”
Ronald McDonald House is also celebrating the coming move from its quiet enclave in Shaughnessy to a brand new, expanded building on the grounds of BC Children’s Hospital.
The $31-million facility will accommodate about 73 families (the current house supports 13) in more than 74,000 square feet of space, making it one of the largest houses in the world. It will support 2,500 families per year (the current house supports 400).
But Pass says they are still short on funding, as they prepare to move in May. “As we get closer to the opening, we have $2.2 million left we need to raise for our $31.2-million project.”
You can make a donation online or Pass says to call him directly at Ronald McDonald House.
“That would be very helpful. There are all sorts of different ways and different levels to get involved with donations. Every bit helps.”
The move is scheduled for mid-2014.
