LEAVE A LEGACY
Twelve-year-old Abby Cavanaugh from Nanaimo never thought she’d be spending a year away from home, but Ronald McDonald House (RMH) helped her stay connected to family and take courage from new friends.
September 5th should have been her first day of high school, but instead, it was the day that Abby Cavanaugh and her mom, Kim, first checked in to Ronald McDonald House. Abby had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) two weeks earlier. RMH BC was home for Abby and Kim for a year, with just three short visits to Nanaimo during that time.
At the beginning, they were disoriented — living in an unfamiliar place — but that feeling didn’t last long.
“The House itself is amazing,” said Kim. “Everyone — the staff, volunteers and other families, has done their best to make us feel comfortable.”
The hardest part of being away from home was being away from the rest of their family. Abby had three siblings at home and RMH BC provided a welcoming place for them to come and visit. Soon, everything about the house helped relieve stress, from the closeness to the hospital to the family meal program, and even to the parkade where Abby’s siblings rode bikes on rainy days.
Abby and her mom are back in Nanaimo and glad that the most intense treatments are completed. They will return to Vancouver for treatment once a month where they are sure to stay at their home away from home at RMH BC.
• Twenty-four per cent of the families that use Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon come from Vancouver Island.
• RMH BC provides accommodation and support for up to 2,000 families like Abby’s each year.
• Families can stay for weeks, months, or years while their child receives life-saving treatment. Leaving a gift in your will to RMH BC will provide accommodation and a community of support for Vancouver Island families with seriously ill children. 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 lasting impact.
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, contact us at: 604-736-2957 or plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca. rmhbc.ca