BC Families Face Long Drives for Critical Childcare

How Ronald Macdonald House eases the travel burden 

When a child becomes critically ill, no parent is prepared for the emotional and physical toll it takes. With only 16 specialized children’s hospitals in Canada, parents not only face the stress of their child’s health battle but also the challenge of long-distance travel to access the care their child desperately needs. For the nearly 65 percent of families who reside outside a city with a children’s hospital, travel to and from treatment can feel like a never-ending drive. 

For the Stephens family from Warfield, B.C., the never-ending drive became their daily reality as they sought care for their son Thatcher following his cancer diagnosis.

At just four months old, Thatcher was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and his treatment required the family to stay in Vancouver for an indefinite period, eight hours away from home. Given his stage four diagnosis, they had no idea how long treatment would last. Faced with the stress of finding accommodation near the hospital, they found a lifeline at Ronald McDonald House Charities BC & Yukon (RMHC BC & Yukon).

When parents Mark and Keri checked into their room at RMHC BC & Yukon, their relief was overwhelming. “We just hugged and cried because we knew that we could be a family in that room,” they remember. 

But it was the holiday season that truly highlighted the importance of being together as a family. “Our kids worried that Santa wouldn’t be able to find us so far away from home,” the Stephens family recalls. “But thanks to staff at the House who pulled out all the stops to make the holiday season special for the kids, it ended up being one of our most magical Christmases.

Because we were together in a comfortable home, with a community of other families facing similar challenges, we were able to maintain some of our family traditions and also create new ones. We decorated our window with bright lights to help Santa find us—and sure enough, both Mr. and Mrs. Claus ended up visiting us!”

For families like the Stephens, staying at RMHC BC & Yukon offers more than just a place to sleep. It’s a place to create precious memories, even during the most difficult times.

In these challenging times, RMHC BC & Yukon offers essential support to families. The House Program provides a place for families to stay near their children while they receive treatment, easing the mental, financial, and emotional burdens of having a critically ill child. By offering accommodations just steps away from children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC) allows families to focus on what matters most—their child’s health.

In rural B.C., families can spend hours driving to a specialized children’s hospital. In some cases, the closest facility might not even be equipped to provide the necessary care for their child, adding an extra layer of stress. 

RMHC BC & Yukon helps ease this burden, but the need for expanded support is urgent. 

While the Stephens family were fortunate enough to find a place at RMHC BC & Yukon, the reality is that many families are turned away due to lack of space. Currently, RMHC cannot meet the needs of 4 out of 5 families who require its services due to space limitations or no available program location.

Help Keep Families Together

No family should ever have to choose between being with their sick child and being able to afford basic necessities. By supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, you’re helping families across all of Canada stay together, no matter how far the journey may be.

To donate and support families with sick children, visit rmhc.ca/donate. 

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C, R Rmh. 2024. “Meet the Hawkes Family.” Ronald McDonald House BC. https://rmhbc.ca/meet-the-hawkes-family/.