Province supports new Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House in Halifax is a home away from home for children and their loved ones who visit the IWK Health Centre for treatment.
The Province of Prince Edward Island is pleased to share that they will be contributing $1.25 million to the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House in Halifax that, once complete, will double the number of families it can serve annually.
Health & Wellness Minister, James Aylward, announced the funding at an event today in Stratford.
“When a child is undergoing treatment or medical care, it is so important that the child and their entire family is well supported. Over the years, many Island families have been comforted by this home away from home, and now with the new build we will see the number of supported families double each year.”
- Health & Wellness Minister, James Aylward
For parents with a sick or seriously injured child, life can be very difficult. Their situation leaves them emotionally drained, anxious and financially stressed. Without the support of Ronald McDonald House, Maritime families would face an estimated $272/day for accommodations and meals.
In the past ten years, Ronald McDonald House in Halifax has provided 6,368 nights of comfort for Island families and in 2019, the organization supported 2,076 Maritime families.
Along with the Ronald McDonald House, RMHC Atlantic’s programs also include two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms® which provide families with a space for calm and support at the IWK Health Centre and the Moncton Hospital.
Quotes:
“Investing in social infrastructure that supports families is essential to building healthy and resilient communities. The new Ronald McDonald House in Halifax will help lighten the load for Prince Edward Island families with sick children at the IWK Health Centre. We are very proud to work with our partners to deliver this important project for Islanders. It is most fitting that it is an esteemed Islander, Lori Barker, at the helm.”
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“For Maritime families with sick children, Ronald McDonald House is their home-away-from-home. As a community, we share the responsibility to ensure that they have a loving place to stay together as they face unimaginable challenges.”
Scott McCain & Leslie McLean, Co-Chairs, RMHC Atlantic Campaign
“In the past ten years alone, Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic provided nearly 6,400 nights of comfort to families from Prince Edward Island. These are our neighbours and friends who have endured the heartbreaking experience of a seriously sick or injured child, and have had to travel far from their homes for the hospital care they need. With that experience comes a great deal of emotional and financial stress. That’s where RMHC Atlantic comes in.”
David McKenna, Regional Lead, PEI, RMHC Atlantic Campaign
“I remember arriving at the Ronald McDonald House the night before my third surgery, along with my dad and older brother. We checked in after supper, played some board games, and I drew and colored with a volunteer and another boy while my brother played video games. It was amazing. It helped us to forget about the surgery. It was a place we could relax and feel like we were at home.”
Bretton Bannister (age 17), RMHC Family, from Emyvale, Prince Edward Island
"While the new Ronald McDonald House will be built in Halifax, it truly belongs to all of us. We thank the Province of Prince Edward Island for recognizing the important role RMHC Atlantic plays in reducing the financial and emotional stresses families face while travelling for medical care. Our new space will be a home-away-from-home for thousands of Island families in the years to come, and we look forward to being there to support them so they can focus on what’s most important – their sick child.”
Lori Barker, Chief Executive Officer, RMHC Atlantic