Meet Sammi-Jo James of Point Leamington, NL

It is hard to put into words the stress that a parent experiences when their child has become sick or seriously injured.   And for families who don’t live close to the care and resources they need, there is an added stress, distance.  RMHC gives families with a sick child what they need most – each other.

Sammi-Jo James of Point Leamington was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis just before her third birthday, but this was only the beginning of a long road of medical treatments and doctor’s appointments.  Sammi-Jo has continued to have special medications and chest physiotherapy each and every day.  In 2016, Sammi-Jo, and her family were introduced to the programs and services at Ronald McDonald House. (Original Story from 2016)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that causes the mucus in the lungs to be thicker and stickier than normal. This makes it difficult to clear and easier for bacteria to get stuck and cause an infection. Infection causes the lining of the airways to become swollen and produce extra sticky mucus. Repeated lung infections can lead to lung damage.

Sammi-Jo has been living with only 17% functionality of her lungs and was on a waitlist for lung transplant.   Since that time, to get the medical care and treatments Sammi-Jo needed, her and her mom Kelly have had 30 visits to Ronald McDonald House for a total of 291 nights.

”We are so grateful to Ronald McDonald House and everyone that supports RMHC for keeping families like ours together we need it the most.”      – Kelly Earle, Sammi-Jo’s mom

Thankfully, a new medication was approved in April 2022. This new medication is considered the single greatest innovation in the history of cystic fibrosis. It can treat up to 90% of Canadians with cystic fibrosis and addresses the underlying causes of the disease instead of just managing the symptoms.

In 2022, at the age of 16, Sammi-Jo received this medication, and her lungs have improved to function at 78% instead of previously functioning at only 17%. Her life has changed for the better thanks to the medical care and treatments she has received.  She can now live a normal life for the first time with a significant reduction in hospital visits.

“I can even run now, which is something I could never do!” said Sammi-Jo

Every day there is a family travelling to St. John’s with a sick child. Living expenses can quickly add up.  Families become stressed from long drives, lost jobs, worried siblings, extra expenses and being far away from family and friends.  These are extra burdens that no family should have to experience.

RMHC NL keeps families with a sick child close to each other and the medical care and resources they need, when they need it the most.  charitable organization and relies on support from donors and annual fundraising activities each year.

To help keep families like Sammi-Jo and her mom Kelly close, please visit www.RMHCNL.ca  and donate today.