RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BC & YUKON HOSTS 2022 STEP UP FOR FAMILIES FUNDRAISER

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMH BC) is delighted to announce the return of Step Up for Families, an annual campaign that raises funds to support BC and Yukon families seeking lifesaving medical treatment for their children. Held in April, the springtime initiative invites the community to assemble their families, friends and colleagues to run, walk, roll or cycle at least 73 kilometres throughout the month. All donations collected will support the 2,000 families per year who stay at RMH BC’s 73-bedroom House and Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital. 

Since 1983, RMH BC has provided comfort and housing to countless families who travel to Vancouver seeking life-saving treatment for their children – treatment that could take days, weeks, or months to complete. The organization offers these families a home-away-from-home in a state-of-the-art, 73- bedroom House situated just steps from the BC Children’s Hospital. More than a place to sleep, the House welcomes families into a supportive ecosystem with amenities such as art and music therapy, comfortable accommodations, and healthy meals.

This April, communities are invited to support these families during the third annual fitness-oriented Step Up for Families fundraiser. At RMH BC, it costs $150 per night to house a family – so, by reaching the minimum $150 “Gift a Night” fundraising goal, participants can help provide a night of comfort to a family facing a stressful situation far from their home. This year, RMH BC has set a fundraising goal to provide 1,000 nights of comfort to families relying on the House and Family Room.

Last year’s Step Up for Families was a huge success, engaging 317 participants from over 55 communities in BC and Yukon. Collectively, they took 60 million steps and tackled 48,000 kilometres – and, in doing so, raised $151,000 for RMH BC, gifting over 1,200 nights of comfort.

“Our goal this year for Step Up for Families is to raise 1,000 nights of accommodation, community, and support for families staying at the House. We are grateful for our many supporters, from Whitehorse to White Rock, who we depend upon in order to fulfill our mission and commitment to be there for families when they must travel from their hometowns to Vancouver for critical.”

Richard Pass, CEO of RMH BC.

How to participate in Step Up for Families:

1. Recruit your team by sharing the Step Up for Families toolkit with your family, friends or co-workers (or tackle the challenge solo!)
2. Visit www.stepupforfamilies.ca to register and set up your fundraising page. Share the link with your team so they can join!
3. Connect your account to Strava, or manually track your distances throughout April. 
4. Encourage your community to donate and help you raise a minimum of $150 to support a family for one night in the RMH BC House.

“Movement has a huge impact on mental health and how we are able to cope with stress. From improved sleep and mood to decreased stress and anxiety, movement can bring us back to the present, so we are better able to focus on moving forward. For many of our families, movement is a tool that helps them to cope and stay grounded through the ups and downs.”

Jenna Morrison, Recreation Therapist at RMH BC

To sign up for Step Up for Families or make a donation, visit www.stepupforfamilies.ca. 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 about RMH BC, visit www.rmhbc.ca. 

• Facts:
• Of the more than 80,000 patients who visit BC Children’s Hospital every year, 68% of them live outside of Vancouver and most have no place to stay while their child receives medical care
• RMH BC serves over 2,000 families each year from over 129 communities
• Staying at RMH BC affects families long after their stay. A study found that families with sick children experience catastrophic financial burden which can take up to 12 years to recover from
• RMH BC saves families up to $6,000 per month, making them stronger once they return home
• Last year’s Step Up for Families fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $151,000 for RMH BC, gifting more than 1,200 nights of comfort to families

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.