My name is Jessica McMillan, I was born and raised in Kamloops and run a small family business downtown. I want to share our experience with the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, which my husband Bryce and I, along with our 3-year-old Matthew spent 41 consecutive nights.
At 21 weeks into our pregnancy, during a routine anatomy scan at Royal Inland Hospital, we received unexpected and concerning news – our baby’s heart appeared to be abnormal. We were referred to BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver for further testing, where we learned that our son had a heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries.
During one of our visits, we were introduced to a compassionate team of specialists, including physicians and a social worker. It was the social worker who first recommended Ronald McDonald House and submitted a referral on our behalf. We later learned that, beginning at 36 weeks of pregnancy, we would need to relocate to Vancouver to be in close proximity to BC Women’s and BC Children’s Hospital to ensure immediate access to care in case of early delivery. Being near the hospital was critical as our baby would require surgery almost immediately after birth.
From the moment we arrived, the staff at Ronald McDonald House went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported. Everyone we encountered was kind, helpful, and committed to creating a home-like environment during a very stressful time.
One of the highlights of our stay was access to a fully equipped kitchen, which allowed us to prepare meals and connect with other families going through similar experiences. We also greatly appreciated the generosity of volunteer groups who prepared communal meals for the entire house a few times per week.
Words can’t fully express how much it meant to have long-term accommodations just minutes from the hospital. Being able to return each night to our home away from home, made a world of difference to our emotional and physical well-being.
We are deeply grateful to Ronald McDonald House for providing support, comfort, and alleviating extra stress during this period in our lives. I know the accommodations at the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Royal Inland Hospital will provide the same feeling of comfort for families going through their own tough times.
