Conversations That Matter: A home away from home
Ronald McDonald House is looking to double in size as it turns away some families
By Stuart McNish • Special To The Sun
Last updated 12 hours ago
It is a home away from home for children who are ill or injured. Ronald McDonald House, on the B.C. Children’s Hospital property in Vancouver gives families the opportunity to be together during the most stressful time of their lives.
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“There is a remarkable body of evidence that demonstrates the role parents and siblings play in the recovery process of children,” says Richard Pass, the CEO of Ronald McDonald House in B.C. and the Yukon.
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The first house was a 13-bed facility in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood that served 400 families a year. “More than 12,000 families benefited from our first location,” says Pass. “Our biggest challenge was meeting the needs of B.C. families. We needed a larger facility and, in 2014, we moved to our 73-bedroom facility at Children’s Hospital.”
Today, Ronald McDonald House serves 2,000 families annually.
“Once again, the need exceeds our capacity. Each year we’re turning away more than 500 families,” says Pass. “That’s why we’re in the midst of a new capital campaign to expand the house.”
The aim is to raise $100 million and expand the house by 75 suites.
Pass joined a Conversation That Matters about the value of caring for those in need, to families, and to our society. Learn More about our guest’s career at careersthatmatter.ca
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