Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Medicine Hat
569 4 Street SW T1A4G2 Medicine Hat, AB, Canada

The Rowan-Cardinal family checked out this week after 13 nights in our Red Deer House. They are taking baby Treyton home to meet his siblings, including four-year-old Deandre and 1-year-old Miyawasin who were staying with them in the House. "Our stay is one we will always cherish and remember," said Desiree & Christopher in a lovely note left for staff. "It was our home away from home. The staff here were very kind and very loving." Not only does the Ronald McDonald House sig...nificantly ease the financial burden on a family when they have to travel for their child's medical treatment, but it also helps improve quality of life for children & their caregivers; leads to a more positive hospital experience for parents; and strengthens coping abilities. #KeepingFamiliesClose

Tania Thorne knows what the families staying at the Medicine Hat House are going through. About a year and a half ago, Tania hopped into the ambulance headed for Calgary with her daughter-in-law Kylie and only the clothes on their backs. Her granddaughter Norah was born at 28 weeks, weighing two pounds. Tania describes how emotional it was to walk into the Ronald McDonald House with her son and remembers feeling a huge sense of relief. "We were completely blown away," she say...s. She knew right away she wanted to give back, and Tania now volunteers weekly in Medicine Hat as a House Refresher, cleaning, tidying and turning over family suites. "I'm not so much there to meet my needs, as much as to help in any way I can to meet their needs," she says, "because our needs were once met so well." To read more, please check out our January newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/rmhcsca.org/rmhc-albertajanuarynewsletter

The Weger-Kirby family has been staying at RMHC Alberta for 33 nights, since baby Avery surprised them by coming into this world prematurely at 29 weeks gestation, on Christmas day. Turns out, baby Avery is full of surprises. Mom Amanda, who was not planning to have any children, found out she was pregnant with Avery 17 weeks along. "Avery is planning to do everything on her terms," says Amanda. "She's shown us that from day one."... Avery was also diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but Amanda says "it looks she's doing Down's on her own terms as well." Avery is growing stronger, and progressing well in the NICU. She just turned one month old, has gained over a pound, and is starting to demand feedings. Amanda, who was airlifted from Fort McMurray to Edmonton says: "I can't imagine people having to go through this and not have the Ronald McDonald House." To read more of their story, check out our January newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/rmhcsca.org/rmhc-albertajanuarynewsletter

The gorgeous kitchen in our Medicine Hat House was made possible by the municipal district of Cypress County, which was incorporated in 1985 and includes communities such as Dunmore, Elkwater, Irvine, and Suffield surrounding Medicine Hat. Our families are so grateful to have a peaceful space that feels like home where they can enjoy a cup of coffee, cook a meal, or sit and recharge before going back over to the hospital. The kitchen is the heart of every Ronald McDonald Hou...se - a communal space where both meals and friendships are made. A space where families, staff, and volunteers can enjoy each other's company and share in each other's journeys. Cypress County chose to support RMHC Alberta in Medicine Hat as the county recognized that the House would serve families from communities in and around the area. Thank you, thank you! #KeepingFamiliesClose

The Onaysi/Hamed family checked out of the Edmonton House this week after a total of 21 nights over two stays. Baby Sarah had surgery on her esophagus after she was born, and they were back again this week for follow-up. In 2019, more than 230 families stayed in our Houses more than once. Many families return for repeat stays due to follow-up appointments, treatments, and procedures - underscoring that, for so many of them, we really are a home-away-from-home. #KeepingFamiliesClose

Aliya, Bahar, and Sabah have spent 9 nights in our Medicine Hat House, after spending 66 nights in our Calgary House. The family is from Brooks and were so thrilled when baby Rosi in the NICU was able to be transferred to Medicine Hat so they could be closer to home. The family has been very grateful for the support they have received while staying at RMHC Alberta. Mom Aliya is quite the cook and has made some amazing meals during their stay! It feels good to be able to suppo...rt this family - not once, but twice - in both our Calgary and Medicine Hat Houses, while little Rosi continues to grow stronger in the NICU. #KeepingFamiliesClose

The Smith family checked out last week after 148 nights. They headed home to Lloydminster with baby Cutler, who had a long stay in the NICU at the Stollery Children's Hospital due to lung complications. On #MissionMonday we're thankful that we can support hundreds of families like the Smiths through their medical journey each year at RMHC Alberta. #KeepingFamiliesClose

Here's a sneak peek at some of what you can expect to see at our Taste of Home - from Home! virtual gala tonight. If you didn't order a meal, it's not too late to join us! You can still purchase a virtual ticket for $50 to support RMHC Alberta families, and join our online programming from 7 - 7:45pm tonight. Hosted by Dinner with Julie you'll get a glimpse into what our Houses offer across the province, and there are some pretty amazing silent auction items to bid on too! V...irtual tickets are still available at: https://rmhcalberta.org/events/taste-of-home-virtual/ The Sia family stayed at our Red Deer House for 23 nights back in 2016 and the impact that RMHC Alberta had on their family was profound. "We had no idea of knowing that we would be residents for 23 days, and we really didn't understand how big of a role it would play in our lives even today," dad Adam says. "The House provided an anchor when so many things in our lives were unknown." Join us tonight to help support the hundreds of families just like the Sias that come through our doors each year. #KeepingFamiliesClose #TasteofHomeAB

It's a great start to the week when one of your bimonthly #HomeForDinner volunteer groups shows up with a cash donation to cover a meal for Edmonton families! We are unable to have our volunteer meal groups into our Houses right now, and we miss them greatly. We are relying on donor and community support to put food on the table for our families across the province. Thank you Wendy Theberge and Southside Dinner Group! ... If you'd like to be a #HeroFromHome and donate a commercially-prepared meal for #RMHCAlberta families or make a financial contribution to help cover the cost, please go to rmhcalberta.org/covid-19. #KeepingFamiliesClose

If you aren't able to attend this year's virtual #TasteofHomeAB, you can still purchase a raffle ticket in support of the event and RMHC Alberta families! First prize is one round-trip flight for two (2) guests to any regularly scheduled WestJet destination PLUS his/her luggage. Second prize is 10K white gold .25 CTW diamond earrings & matching diamond pendant from Paris Jewellers - Official Page PLUS an assortment of wine. ... Tickets are $20 each. If you would like to support, you can buy them here: https://bit.ly/3lEuIgG #KeepingFamiliesClose

The Fabrick family checked out last week after 25 nights in our Calgary House and baby Charlie just turned one-month-old! He looks pretty cute showing off his RMHC Alberta onesie! Charlie arrived 8 weeks early in Drumheller, and was rushed to the Foothills NICU shortly thereafter. Charlie surpassed all expectations and goals set for him by his care team, and after a week he was transferred to the Level 2 NICU at Rockyview General Hospital where he gained weight and grew stron...ger. In honour of #WorldPrematurityDay yesterday, Charlie's Dad Joel shared these photos with us. "We got to be with him each day thanks to the support of the Ronald McDonald House, and don't know how we would have gotten through this difficult time without all the hospitality," Joel says. "We don't know how we will ever repay our gratitude, but we will be strong advocates and cheerleaders for the Ronald McDonald House for the rest of our lives." We wish all the best to baby Charlie, Joel, and Tracy as they continue to settle back in at home! #KeepingFamiliesClose

Food orders are now closed for our #TasteofHomeAB virtual gala, but our online silent auction will stay open until 9pm on November 19! There are many amazing items to bid on, including this VIP Chef's Table for 6 at Moxie's Grill & Bar in Medicine Hat! This includes a four-course meal, along with beer, wine, and a signature cocktail sampling. Valued at $600! Check out this and so many other great items to bid on at www.givergy.ca/rmhcalbertavirtual

LAST DAY to order your meals for #TasteofHomeAB - we'd love to have you join us virtually for dinner this Thursday, November 19. Please check out the menus at our partner restaurants in Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Grande Praire, Edmonton, and Calgary. www.rmhcalberta.org/events If you don't wish to dine with us, for a ticket of $50 please consider joining our virtual program from 7 - 8pm, including a special video presentation and online silent auction, hosted by Dinner with Jul...ie. #KeepingFamiliesClose

On #NationalPhilanthropyDay we recognize the sweetest wee donors we have! Thanks to William, Isabel & Jonathan Miller for becoming room donors with the support of their parents at the new Ronald McDonald House in Medicine Hat. What a wonderful way to give back to other children and their families. You may be little but you leave a big legacy! #KeepingFamiliesClose

#NationalPhilanthropyDay is a celebration of the giving, volunteering, and charitable engagement that makes our communities better and stronger places. Today RMHC Alberta would like to acknowledge all of our stakeholders and supporters who help us keep families together during the most difficult times in their lives. It has been a challenging year for us all, yet our supporters have stepped up to the plate. These families - including the Pelletiers, the Gorhams, the Websdales, and the Leffingwells - who have recently checked out of our Houses after a combined total stay of 157 nights relied on your support and generosity in order to travel for their child's medical treatment. On behalf of all the families we continue to serve, happy #NPD2020