'World changing': Calgary’s Ronald McDonald House gets $1.25M donation
A Canadian energy company has donated $1.25 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities to help the non-profit organization create an additional 60 suites for families in need at its soon-to-be-opened Calgary location.
The donation from ARC Resources Ltd, presented Tuesday morning, will help cover costs for the Energy Wing of the new expanded facility being constructed adjacent to Calgary's existing Ronald McDonald House on West Campus Place N.W, which will open in 2025.
Once built, the new facility will increase the number of family suites available from 27 to 91, enabling more families than ever to stay close to their sick children without the additional financial and emotional burdens of seeking alternative accommodation.
"It's near and dear to our heart, with over half of our employees living where they would need to travel to receive pediatric services such as this," said Lisa Olsen, senior vice-president of people and corporate for ARC Resources.
"We're so proud to be part of making this donation and being part of the expansion."
The funding comes at a time where the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary already has a waiting list for dozens of families every single night.
Ashtyn Bruvold says her family has been eternally grateful for locations in both Edmonton and Calgary over the last three years.
The accommodations have especially been important for her four-year-old son Zebulun, who has a rare disease called Chronic Granulomatous Disease which prevents his body from fighting off fungal or bacterial infections.
Zebulun, 4, has Chronic Granulomatous Disease. (supplied) "He gets very sick very often and the only cure for this disease is a bone marrow transplant. With dealing with the disease, it comes with a lot of restrictions, everything poses a danger to him. So we were going for this cure in hopes that he can have a normal life."
"It’s scary for toddlers to experience medical trauma. To be able to have the togetherness here and not to have to worry about food, drink, transport… everything is taken care of here, and we feel so comfortable for everyone."
Zebulun’s two-year-old brother Zavier will now have his bone marrow transplanted to his older brother in an upcoming procedure.
"To be able to have this is world changing, you just get to focus on your kids and your family, and to know more families will be helped is amazing," Bruvold said.
In addition to increasing the number of family suites, the new facility will expand the kitchen area, common spaces and programming spaces to support the many needs of families traveling for paediatric care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.