RMH

“Your son has leukemia,” the doctor said calmly. Shannon stood paralyzed. She was seven months pregnant with her second child (Zachary) while cradling her first-born in her arms. “Did he just tell me my baby has cancer,” thought Shannon. In one brief moment, her world crumbled.

“Your baby is very, very sick. We need to give him a series of blood transfusions to stabilize him so he can fly to Toronto,” said the doctor. Shannon remembers the whirlwind of thought and emotion. Where would her family stay, how would they get to Toronto and what should they expect.

“This was a time that we needed to be together as a family,” says Shannon. The thought of being separated or alone was unbearable.  “I remember walking through the doors at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, exhausted. I burst into tears and a kind voice said ‘this will be your home for as long as you need it.’”

Jordan’s family stayed at the House for over 257 days. They shared Christmas, birthdays and the arrival of baby brother Zachary while staying at the House. “The House provided a community of support and care during an unbelievably difficult time,” says Shannon. “I cannot imagine for one moment what we would have done without the House. We are incredibly grateful.”