RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BC & YUKON ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL STEP UP FOR FAMILIES VIRTUAL CAMPAIGN

Since 1983, RMH BC has positively
impacted countless families enduring the most difficult time of their lives – travelling to Vancouver for their child’s treatment that may take days, weeks or months to complete. The organization offers these families a home-away-from-home and a community of support. The state-of-the-art 73- bedroom House, situated on the grounds of BC Children’s Hospital, allows family members to be mere steps away from their children as they receive medical care. More than simply a place to stay, the House welcomes families into a supportive ecosystem that offers amenities such as art and music therapy, as well as comfortable accommodations and healthy meals, among many others. RMH BC is funded by an expansive group of fundraisers and donors whose generosity has allowed RMH BC to continue supporting families for nearly 40 years.

In May, RMH BC will bring back Step Up for Families, a fitness-oriented fundraiser that encourages people everywhere to virtually assemble a squad of family, friends, classmates or co-workers and move a total of 73 kilometres. Donations will support the 2,000 families who stay at RMH BC, and in the dedicated Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital, each year. Maintaining a safe social distance, participants can move in their favourite way, whether walking in the park, running on the treadmill or spinning on their bike.

To help participants track their progress, this year, RMH BC has partnered with MoveSpring, an interactive step and activity challenge platform that features a live leaderboard, team chat platform and photo challenges.

How to Get Started:

1. Recruit your team (or tackle the challenge solo!)
2. Visit www.give.rmhbc.ca/stepupforfamilies to register for free and set up your team or individual fundraising page. Share your link with your team so they can join
3. Choose an impactful fundraising target (for example, $125 houses a family for one night, $220 provides groceries to a family for a week, $1,500 provides a Family Meal for the entire House)
4. Conquer 73 km in the month of May and collect donations, participate in mini-challenges and win prizes along the way!

“We are thrilled to once again host Step Up for Families to bring together loved ones while raising funds for families who are not only facing one of the hardest times of their lives, but are doing so amid a pandemic,” says Sunshine Purificacion, Director of Community Development at RMH BC. “Simply by spending time outdoors as you exercise and improve your health, you can make a real difference in the lives of families. We are so grateful to everyone who participated last year, and we look forward to achieving even more success this May.”

“We know that exercise and mental wellness have a direct correlation and Step Up for Families is a great way to increase your movement this spring. For the 73 families who can stay in the House each night, knowing that people from across the province are participating with them in mind helps to create a sense of community and wellbeing,” says Richard Pass, CEO, RMH BC & Yukon. “We are grateful for the support and hope those participating feel energized and accomplished in reaching their goal.”

To sign up for Step Up for Families or make a donation to RMH BC, visit www.give.rmhbc.ca/stepupforfamilies. Join the conversation online and tag @rmhbc in your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts with the hashtag #stepupforfamilies as you spread awareness of the campaign and your virtual fundraising activities. To learn more, visit www.rmhbc.ca.

About Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon

Each year, up to 2,000 families from across British Columbia and the Yukon travel to Vancouver in search of life-saving treatment for their critically ill children. Far from their homes, they desperately need accommodation and a place to stay together under one roof. Ronald McDonald House® BC and Yukon offers a home away from home, a community of support, and a restful space for families to heal better together. RMH BC & Yukon operates a modern and welcoming 73 room facility steps from BC Children’s Hospital and a Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital. With support from hundreds of volunteers, dedicated donors, and committed staff, we create a community of support for parents, siblings and patients so they can heal better, together. Rmhbc.ca