'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
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.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.