A fundraiser ahead of the Ronald McDonald House Calgary expansion project

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Alberta has officially launched its “Build Big” fundraising campaign as the organization's Calgary facility aims to triple its living capacity through a major expansion project opening next year.

Currently, the existing Calgary RMHC at West Campus Place NW can accommodate 27 suites for families of sick children who need accommodation. Combining the two buildings, the new home will add more than 60 suites, bringing the total to 91 suites.

“Every year, Ronald McDonald House Charities serves 1,200 Alberta families, which is an impressive number, but that's only 14 percent of the demand that is currently being met,” said RMHC Alberta CEO Jason Evanson.

“Last year, we helped families stay with us save $8.5 million, and when we tripled in size, we tripled the savings.”

More than 8,000 Alberta families seek pediatric care each year, meaning there are dozens upon dozens on waiting lists to accommodate those in need.

Family support

Renee Labriola was very grateful for the family's experience at RMHC Calgary after her son Marco was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 at 10 months old.

“We were faced with the scenario of COVID plus cancer, which made things difficult in terms of support, because at that time many programs did not work,” said Labriola.

“Our other eldest son, Enzo, couldn't be looked after either, he wasn't allowed to be admitted to the hospital, so it was a bit chaotic, the treatment, all the support that would have been there at other times was gone.”

Rene Labriola with his sons Marco and Enzo. (Courtesy: Renn Labriola)

Fortunately, Labriola and his Edmonton family were able to stay at RMHC facilities for the better part of six months between the two cities.

“My son was treated for cancer so badly that he was in an isolation room for six months, so it was great for us to walk around and interact with people, and for my older son it was like his playground,” she said.

“He had an immunocompromised brother. He could not play with other children. It was truly her sanctuary, a place of peace and tranquility during the chaos of her cancer treatment.”

For others like Lisa Jensen, the RMHC Calgary home meant a new lease on life. She moved the whole family out of Victoria after her son Henry was born with kidney disease, which quickly progressed into end-stage kidney failure.

“My son needed hemodialysis, and his life-saving treatment was at Children's Hospital four days a week. “We spent over 270 nights at RMHC Vancouver and when we realized he was going to need long-term treatment, there were no other options and we had to move to Calgary,” Jensen said.

“Our experience really brought tears to my eyes, we met so many wonderful families, volunteers and staff and they helped everyone on our journey. It's great to share what you're going through with families who are going through the same thing, and they understand you.”

Lisa Jensen's son Henry was photographed during his treatment in Calgary. (Credit: Lisa Jensen)

40 years of heritage

For 40 years, RMHC Alberta has been a staple of the community with its family-centered model of care, and the latest Big Build campaign marks a new era.

Lanny MacDonald, honorary co-chairman of The Big Build and the 1989 Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames, knows all too well about the journey to expand the facility.

Speaking during a fundraising announcement Thursday, he spoke about when he first became involved with RMHC Calgary and the facility only had eight beds.

“Every donation, not only does it all get done on time, but it allows those families to stay here and share their stories with each other,” MacDonald said.

Calgary's RMHC expansion is on target to open in March 2025, and plans are underway to expand the Edmonton facility soon after.

McDonald's says it invited long-time Edmonton Oilers rival Kevin Lowe to join the fundraising effort in Edmonton, and the response has been overwhelming.

“I met Kevin Lowe in corners over the years and we didn't like each other, but now we love each other. I asked if he would come to Edmonton to do his duty and he said absolutely.

“So it's a lot of competition and we can't wait for not only this Calgary facility to open, but for Edmonton to follow suit.”

As a fun opportunity for recognition, part of the Big Build fundraising campaign is the Brick by Brick initiative, which recognizes donors with a physical brick on the exterior of the RMHC expansion building in Calgary.

For more information on how to donate and get involved, visit RMHC Alberta's Big Build website.