It is hard to put into words how a parent feels when their child has been diagnosed with a serious illness. And for families who don’t live close to the medical care and resources they need, there is an added stress, distance. RMHC gives families with a sick child what they need most – each other.

In the early months of 2023, Ayden Cooper of Little Catalina, discovered a large lump that was growing on his neck. He was treated with antibiotics and over the counter medication, but the lump continued to grow. The lump had grown to surround his collar bone and was growing into his throat. He was also developing a second lump on the opposite side of his neck. In the fall of 2023, he received a referral to see a specialist at the Janeway Children’s Hospital, more than 300km away from their hometown. A CT scan showed several lumps on his neck which explained why it was becoming quite difficult for him to breathe. The family thought it would only be a day trip to St. John’s, but Ayden was immediately admitted and spent the next eleven nights in the intensive care unit. On Ayden’s 14th birthday he had a biopsy that later determined it was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “It was a very scary and unexpected for us. We thought that because of the long wait that it wasn’t a big deal. But after the MRI and CT scans it was much worse than we thought. It was cancer. Cancer was the word we least expected.” said Alora Fisher, Ayden’s mom. Ayden was immediately admitted to the hospital and hasn’t returned home since. He has missed most of his grade nine school year with medical appointments, treatments, sickness and chemotherapy. Being three hours away from home, all of his regular routine was disrupted, which can be challenging for kids with autism.

“We had such a sense of relief after finding out about Ronald McDonald House. We were at the hospital for several days for something we thought was just a day appointment. Our stress and worries were drastically reduced knowing we had a place to stay to be close to Ayden while he was in the ICU. RMHC has been our home away from home. It’s a place we can be a family and do our normal routines like family meals and movie nights.” Alora continued. The family were advised that Ayden would need at least five rounds of chemotherapy and there is the possibility of radiation afterwards. It would take months to complete this treatment. While Ayden’s journey is far from over, with treatments expected to continue into 2024, the family have come to rely on the programs and services at Ronald McDonald House. “We have received so much support from Ronald McDonald House both emotionally and financially. We don’t have to worry about accommodations that are affordable and close to the hospital. It’s a safe haven to come and rest and be together as a family! We have meet other parents who have been or are going through the same thing as our family. We feel so connected and supported. ” said Alora.

WATCH AYDEN’S VIDEO