Why an Expansion?

The 16 bedrooms at Ronald McDonald House^® Northern Alberta were usually full. In the past five years, we had to turn away over 800 families due to full occupancy. In the old House, families were sharing communal bathrooms, which added challenges to children with suppressed immune systems.

Children are now served better than ever by the Stollery Children's Hospital. As this Hospital increases its number of beds and continues to provide exceptional care for children with heart issues, oncology treatments, transplants and other life-threatening issues, we strive to meet the complementary demand for our services.

Additionally, as other Edmonton hospitals and health care centres continue to increase in size and offer more care in specialized areas, demand for space at Ronald McDonald House^® Northern Alberta becomes more apparent. Places including the new Mazankowski Heart Institute and Lois Hole Hospital for Women will attract more patients. People requiring this specialized care will come not only from Alberta, but across Canada, including children and their families.

Ronald McDonald House^® Northern Alberta needed to take action in order to meet the immediate increased demands for our services and the inevitable continued increase in the near future.