rmhc logo
  • Family stories
    • Meet Shane and Karley Abbott of Princeton
    • Meet Jack Hutchings and His Family from Corner Brook
    • Love helps beat the odds…. Meet Scarlette Fifield and Her Family from Pilley’s Island
    • No Mission Impossible for this Ethan Hunt
    • Meet Isla Short and Her Family from Deer Lake
    • Kaydee McIsaac of Stephenville – A Familiar Face at RMHC NL
    • Meet Ailish Slaney and Her Family from St. Lawrence
    • Meet Ria Colbourne and Her Family from Coffee Cove
    • Meet Christian Hatcher and His Family from Appleton
    • Meet Grace Voisey of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
    • Meet Sage Barnes and Her Family from Trout River
    • Meet Madison Atkins-Plowman and Her Family from Hawkes Bay
    • Meet Weelo Leveque
    • Meet Sammi-Jo James of Point Leamington, NL
    • Meet Joshua Skinner of Massey Drive, NL
    • story of Mason of Shearstown
    • Meet Thomas St. John
    • Meet Kaydee and her family
    • Meet Paul from Glovertown
    • Two Teens Fighting Cancer
    • Meet Claudia of Bishop’s Falls
    • Meet Michael Carroll and His Family from Labrador City
    • Meet Natalia Williams and Her Family from Labrador City
    • Meet Twins Rexton & Rocky of Glovertown
    • Meet William Chaulk of Deer Lake, NL
    • Meet Kallei Rogers and Her Family from Harbour Breton
    • Meet Carter and His Family from Stephenville
    • Meet the Osbourne Sisters of Labrador City
    • Meet Nick and His Family from Labrador
    • Meet Daymean and Daydreian Beck of St. Lawrence
    • Meet Carlyn Urquhart and Her Family from Happy Valley-Goose Bay
    • Meet Izaih Whalen and His Family from Pilley’s Island
  • Donate
  • Meet Jerrica Bartlett of Labrador City
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Mother’s Day – Give the gift of Mom
  • Home
  • About us
    • Corporate Partners
    • Board of Directors
    • Career opportunities
    • Contact us
    • History & Annual Reports
    • Our Relationship with the Medical Community
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Our Families
    • Our Relationship with McDonald’s
    • Meet the Team
  • Events & News
    • Host a Fundraising Event or Activity
    • News
    • Events
      • Red Shoe Crew – Walk for Families
      • McHappy Day
      • Holiday Lottery – WestJet
      • Miss Achievement Scholarship Program
      • Race for Reason
      • Create a Community Event
      • Spare Some Love Bowling Event
      • FORE the Families Golf Classic
      • SockIT for sick kids and their families
      • Lights of Love
      • Signature Salon
      • Enchanted Family Fun Event
      • FireFit Fun Run!
      • VOCM Radiothon
      • Royal St. John’s Regatta
      • Shamrock Showdown
      • Vendors Market
      • Hopping Into Spring Craft & Gift Fair
      • Motorcycle Ride
      • Covid-19 Response
      • Chatters Hair Salons – A Beautiful Cause
      • Team RMHC
      • Christmas Calendar Draw
      • Goods Bingo
      • VOCM Dial-a-Carol
      • Day by the Bay Golf Classic
      • Alex Shaves for RMHC NL
      • The Dub Show
    • Donate
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to give
    • Wish list
    • Merchandise store
    • Recycling and Pull Tab Program
    • Request a Tour or Guest Speaker
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Planned Giving
    • Recognition
    • Young Hero Program
  • The Squeezebox Page Presents The ‘Come From Away’ Cast and Musicians
  • Volunteering
    • Volunteer – in the community
    • Regional Development Coordinators
    • VicNet
    • Group and OneTime Opportunities
    • Annual Volunteer Gathering
    • Volunteers – in house
    • Helping HAND Awards
  • What We Do
    • Staying with us
    • Referral process
    • Virtual tour
    • Programs
  • Father’s Day – Give the gift of Dad
  • About us
  • What We Do
  • Get Involved
  • Volunteering
  • Events & News
  • MENUMobile Menu
  • HOW TO STAY
  • mobile search
  • About us
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • History & Annual Reports
    • Our Relationship with the Medical Community
    • Our Relationship with McDonald’s
    • Corporate Partners
    • Board of Directors
    • Meet the Team
    • Career opportunities
    • Contact us
  • What We Do
    • Staying with us
    • Referral process
    • Family Support Programs
    • Family Stories
    • Virtual tour
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to give
    • Host a Fundraising Event or Activity
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Wish list
    • Planned Giving
    • Young Hero Program
    • Recognition
    • Request a Tour or Guest Speaker
    • Recycling and Pull Tab Program
    • Merchandise store
  • Volunteering
    • Volunteers – in house
    • Volunteer – in the community
    • Group/One-Time Opportunities
    • Regional Development Coordinators
    • Annual Volunteer Gathering
    • Helping HAND Awards
  • Events & News
    • Events
    • Host Your Own Community Event
    • News
  • facebook-logo
  • twitter-logo
  • youtube-logo
HOW TO STAY
  • RMHC NL
  • Link to Newsletter

July 18, 2017


Ria Colbourne and Her Family from Coffee Cove Spent 42 Nights at Ronald McDonald House

It is hard to put into words how a parent feels when their child has been diagnosed with a serious illness. It has to be one of the darkest places a parent can go. 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.

At the young age of thirteen, Ria Colbourne of Coffee Cove, was diagnosed with Schwannoma Tumors, a nerve sheath tumor that attacks the nervous system. For the Colbourne Family, Ria, her dad Kenny, step-mother Sharlene and younger brother, Logan, faced a challenging road ahead – one filled with long drives, hospital stays, surgeries and treatments. They worried about numerous things, even the simple things, like where they would stay. Shortly after Ria’s diagnosis the family were introduced to the programs and services of Ronald McDonald House.

“We were so afraid and unsettled when Ria was diagnosed, the social worker knew there would be a long stay, far from home, ahead of us. But the social worker contacted Ronald McDonald House for us. All I can remember is breaking down into tears as we were showed around this beautiful house. I was overwhelmed with a warm feeling of knowing that so many people actually cared about our little family.” said Sharlene Oram, Ria’s step-mother.

Since their first stay at Ronald McDonald House in July of 2016, the Colbourne Family have been cared for on five occasions totaling 42 nights. Ria still sleeps with the special quilt given to her on their first visit and the magic room is just as magical each time she gets to open its doors!

“I remember Kenny stayed with her one evening so I could attend a card making night at RMHC. I felt so relaxed. It was a wonderful break. The meals and treats that our family shared were tasty and helped us with our limited budget. we have met many friends and every time we stay at Ronald McDonald House we leave feeling blessed that so many people donate their time and resources for families like ours. Simply amazing!”  Sharlene Oram

While Ria’s journey is far from over, the Colbourne Family continues to find strength at Ronald McDonald House thanks to you.

donate Icon DONATE
volunteer Icon VOLUNTEER

  • Events & News
  • Volunteering
  • Get Involved
  • What We Do
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and conditions

© RMHC

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates; McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

RMHC is recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations to RMHC are deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisor for questions regarding deductibility. The RMHC EIN is 36-2934689. A copy of the RMHC determination letter is available upon request.

Charitable Registration Number: 85050 2865 RR 0001