When Grayson Dowling was born at 27 weeks, he was small enough to fit in the palm of his mom Miranda’s hand. At just 1 pound 3 ounces, Grayson would spend the next year in the hospital hooked up to a ventilator and other life-support systems, fighting to grow and survive. Miranda from Penticton needed to stay close to him in Vancouver for 14 months.
During this terrifying situation far from home, Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon (RMH BC) provided accommodation and support for Grayson’s whole family.
For the Dowlings and thousands more families like theirs who live outside the Lower Mainland, a child’s serious illness has catastrophic effects. Parents feel emotional and financial strains from being away from home and siblings are also thrust into the upheaval. That’s where RMH BC comes in.
Staying at RMH BC meant that Miranda’s older son, Kaiden, could come to visit along with dad, Jeff. When Jeff and Kaiden returned home to keep up with work and school, Miranda’s mom or grandma could stay and lend a helping hand. “You live in the worst possible situation,” says Miranda. “Every parent’s nightmare, you live it every day. But here, you have somewhere to come back to where you can just be a family.”
Staying at RMH BC provided normalcy for the Dowlings during their year in Vancouver – a place to cook meals, do laundry, and relax after long days of treatments and appointments. Other families with seriously ill children became their extended family, celebrating milestones and supporting each other through the hardest times.
Grayson is now 5 years old, and over the years his RMH BC family has grown with him every step of the way. The Dowlings visit Vancouver every three months for regular checkups and they know that they can rely on the House and the people in it for constant support. As Miranda walks through the House, kids who have grown up alongside Grayson call her “auntie,” and visits to Vancouver become family reunions.
Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon is designed with the needs of families in mind and includes spacious guest bedrooms with private washrooms, several indoor and outdoor play spaces, a fitness room, arts and crafts room and four state-of-the-art kitchens. More than just a place to stay, RMH BC provides a community of support and a safe place for young patients and their families to heal together.
- RMH BC provides accommodation and support for up to 2,000 families like Grayson’s each year.
- Families can stay for weeks, months, or years while their child receives life-saving treatment.
- Staying at RMH BC can save families $3,000 – $6,000 per month, making them stronger once they return home.
Leaving a legacy gift is a meaningful way to ensure ongoing support for the children and families who depend on RMH BC. We can help you and your financial advisor find the best option to suit your needs, address any concerns you might have, and work with you to ensure your donation has the lasting impact that you intend.
By leaving a legacy for Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, you give strength and hope to Vancouver Island families with seriously ill children, and keep them together when it matters most. For more information about legacy giving, please contact us at 604-736-2957 or plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca.
Visit rmhbc.ca to learn more.