Ronald McDonald House Toronto

I had the honour to visit the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world…and I came away inspired and humbled.  The Toronto Ronald McDonald House can host 81 families.  It is a fantastic facility where families can stay while they are caring for a sick child.  Parents, siblings and sick kids call can all call Ronald McDonald House Toronto their temporary home.

There is an onsight private school (accredited with the Ministry of Education) for siblings and even the sick kids to attend so that they can continue their education during times when they need to be close to a hospital.

The fantastic facility houses a library for families to read together, a meditation room for families to find quiet, a business centre complete with computers and photocopiers so that families can stay connected when they are disconnected.

The average stay at Ronald McDonald House Toronto is 35 days.  That is a long time to be away from home – in a my-child-is-sick situation.  The family appreciation, support and kindness Ronald McDonald House offers families is priceless.

One of the Moms speaking that day (her 4-year-old daughter has Cancer) said something I will never, ever, forget…”There are more important things than work”. 

I came away from visiting Ronald McDonald House Toronto thinking…family and health are the most important things in the world to me.