Meet Alicia, Matthew & Briar

My name is Alicia Stafford. My family and I are from Port Dover, Ontario and we stayed at RMH®SCO for nearly 3 weeks nights while Briar was in the hospital.

Hometown Port Dover

Days 16

Service Used Hamilton House & Hamilton Family Room

Our Story

Not long ago, our family found ourselves facing the most challenging time of our lives. Because of my type one diabetes, our daughter was born with multiple serious health conditions, including an ovarian torsion, a blood clot in her liver, dangerously unstable blood sugars that needed to be monitored every three hours, and a significant heart issue.

She was immediately admitted to the NICU at McMaster Children's Hospital, and we suddenly found ourselves in a world of constant worry, medical jargon, and uncertainty.

The Ronald McDonald House became our home away from home. It gave us a warm bed to sleep in, nourishing food when we didn’t have the energy to cook, and most importantly, a place where our son could come visit us. It allowed us moments of normalcy in a world that was anything but. The staff and volunteers were more than kind, they were angels in disguise! Their empathy, understanding, and gentle care carried us through some of the most vulnerable moments in our lives.

We will never forget the people we met there, particularly the families who were walking similar paths. We laughed, we cried, and we found strength in one another. Thankfully, our story has a happy ending. After 21 days, we were finally able to bring our daughter home. Today, a year later, her heart is strong, the blood clot is gone, and her blood sugars are perfectly stable. She is thriving – and every day, we remember how much the Ronald McDonald House helped us get to this place. Those weeks were hard. Unforgettable. But the Ronald McDonald House made them just a little easier. And for that, we will always be grateful.

You gave us more than just a place to stay – you gave us hope, warmth, and family when we needed it most. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

With love and gratitude,

The Stafford Family