RMH

McDonald’s employee Abigail Gomez has experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. On a cold morning last December, she was bustling around the house trying to get her two youngest children ready for school when there was a knock at the door. She answered to find two police officers with grave news: her 16-year-old daughter, Annemarie, had been hit by a car while crossing the street. She was unconscious and had been taken from the scene by ambulance.

“I was terrified,” says Abigail. “All I could think was, ‘I’m going to lose my baby. I don’t want to lose her.’”

Annemarie was rushed to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for emergency surgery with a broken arm, leg and pelvic bone. Abigail wouldn’t leave her side, which meant she couldn’t return to her Mississauga home. A long-time employee of McDonald’s, her Operations Consultant suggested she check out the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto Family Room at SickKids.

While Annemarie spent the next week recovering at the hospital, Abigail made use of the Family Room. She slept and showered there every day and often brought her family to eat meals together. Sometimes, she would just put her feet up and watch TV when she needed a break from it all.

“Having those facilities right there in the hospital was so incredible,” says Abigail. “I could be close to Annemarie, but still look after myself. And the volunteers who staff the Family Room took such good care of me. As a single mom, they made me feel like I was part of their family during a very scary time.”

Annemarie has recovered well from her injuries and continues physical therapy. Before her accident, she had followed in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother and had been working at McDonald’s part-time. Once a proud Employee of the Month, she eagerly awaits her return to work.

As for Abigail, she’s prouder than ever to call herself a member of the McDonald’s family. She’s experienced firsthand how important RMHC Toronto can be to families experiencing medical crises. Abigail volunteered to be the Coordinator for McHappy Day, coming up on May 6. One dollar from every Big Mac, McCafé and Happy Meal sold will support Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms across Canada. She’s throwing all of her effort behind the initiative, planning to use her own story to encourage customers to donate.

“RMHC Toronto helps a lot of families, and mine is one of them,” she says. “That’s why it’s so important for us to support them. If something were to ever happen to your family, it’s comforting to know that RMHC Toronto will be there to help you too.”