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There are few situations as difficult as having a seriously ill child. In Canada, 65 per cent of families live outside a city with specialty children?s hospital. Many families must travel long distances to access the medical care their children require, leaving them a long way from the comfort and security of their homes, families, jobs and support networks at a time when they need them most. 
That?s where Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) comes in. In an average year, RMHC helps more than 26,000 Canadian families through their most challenging times. RMHC gives families a place to stay together, close to their sick child in hospital, giving them the comforts of home and a community of support when they need it most.  For mom Danielle Young, RMHC South Central Ontario, located in Hamilton, Ontario, became a safe haven for her and her husband, Chris, in 2016. For more than 100 days, they stayed at the house to be close to their first daughter, Poppy, who was born prematurely with fluid in her chest. Poppy had to be hospitalized at the NICU at McMaster Children?s Hospital?46 kilometres away from their home in Paris, Ontario. 

?It was 105 long days, but RMHC made it easier,? recalls Young. ?It was so nice to have a place to share with other parents who understand?we made so many friends and they are relationships we still have. You have days where you just cannot be in the hospital anymore. It?s hard to just sit there when your baby is really sick and is...