You can tell there’s something special about Ronald McDonald House from the moment you step inside. Whether you are a patient, a family member, a volunteer or a staff member, once you arrive, you feel at ease. To aid Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) near our operations, Strathcona has committed $530,000 to add capacity at both the Edmonton and Calgary houses and to support ongoing needs at the existing house in Saskatoon.
Created to be a home away from home for families travelling to receive medical care for critically ill children, every inch of each Ronald McDonald House offers guests a comfortable place to stay where worries are calmed, and custom supports are offered.
“Over 65% of families needing specialized care at a children’s hospital live outside a city. It’s simply not possible for these families to commute to and from home while their child is receiving treatment,” says Loriana Marcone, Senior Development Officer with Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta. “Finding long-term accommodation in a city like Calgary or Edmonton can be very challenging, not to mention expensive. Ronald McDonald House helps to alleviate this stress for families who are already dealing with a lot.”
Suites at Ronald McDonald House are thoughtfully designed for long-stay guests with complex medical situations. Private rooms offer families a quiet place to rest while open kitchens and community spaces provide opportunities for guests to form bonds and rely on each other for strength and support as they progress through treatment. Transportation, meals, laundry, parking and family-centred activities are also offered.
The average stay at an Alberta Ronald McDonald House is nearly 20 days, with some families staying as long as two years or residing in the house intermittently over the course of many years as their child requires continuous treatment.
“Right now, in the Calgary house, we operate at capacity every night and we are only meeting 14% of the need. Expanding will allow us to offer comfortable, affordable accommodations for significantly more families,” Loriana shares.
Through The Big Build, RMHC plans to add 60-plus suites to both the Calgary and Edmonton houses. Upon completion, families served will more than double to 2,400 annually. Each house will also see kitchens, communal areas and outdoor space expand or improve.
“As a parent, having a sick child is one of the most challenging and stressful life events. And, when that stress is compounded with a lack of resources to deal with the circumstance, it can be truly overwhelming. The deep care and support offered by a stay at Ronald McDonald House allows a family to cope,” says Rob Morgan, President & CEO, Strathcona Resources. “Giving more families access to a Ronald McDonald House and the home-away-from-home comfort it provides is something the Strathcona team is proud to support.”
Volunteers are a huge part of what makes Ronald McDoanld House tick. From preparing meals to stocking toys to sewing special quilts, every volunteer opportunity helps to bring guests small luxuries that make circumstances tolerable and stays meaningful. As part of our ongoing relationship with RMHC, Strathcona team members are encouraged to get engaged with their local house through volunteer events and opportunities.
