Photo Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House
More families with critically ill and injured children will be able to stay close to their loved ones after Ronald McDonald House Ottawa completed a major expansion that more than doubles its capacity.
The charity has increased its accommodation from 14 to 36 bedrooms, allowing it to support more than 1,300 families annually, up from about 500. The expansion also enabled the organization to lower its eligibility requirement from 80 kilometres to 60 kilometres, opening its doors to more families across Eastern Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut.
Christine Hardy, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Ottawa, says the infusion of funds has enabled the organization to achieve something that seemed like a dream not too long ago for families waiting to access its services.
For Hannah and her 11-year-old daughter, Fiona, of Kemptville, the house has become a vital source of support while Fiona undergoes treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As a family new to the house, they’ve spent 17 nights there while Fiona receives critical medical care, eliminating the need to commute back and forth each day. Now, hundreds of other families can call Ronald McDonald House their temporary home while their children receive world-class care at CHEO.
Hardy says the recent expansion has been roughly eight years in the making and was carefully planned to ensure the organization could meet guests’ needs in the best possible way. She adds that eligibility is determined based on geography, immediate need and several other factors.
Not only has the building’s footprint been greatly expanded, but thanks to a government grant, the facility has also been designated as net-zero carbon.
Donations and volunteers are truly the backbone of Ronald McDonald House Ottawa, says Hardy, and the organization is always welcoming new individuals who want to help keep the facility running.
Ronald McDonald House Ottawa will officially celebrate the expansion during a ceremony on July 13 at its facility on Smyth Road. The larger space includes expanded kitchens, play areas, family-centred programs and additional overnight accommodations, while continuing to support day-use families through its Family Room programs at CHEO.
Ronald McDonald House Ottawa expands to support more families with sick children
(Written By: Richard Evans)
