RMH

Nineteen-month-old Ryder and his family first travelled to Toronto from Newfoundland in July 2012 to see if he was a donor match for his first cousin Logan’s bone marrow transplant. His parents also hoped that the doctors in Toronto would be able to determine the cause of Ryder’s constant cough, ear and chest infections. 

His blood tests and examination revealed startling news for the family. “When my sister called and told me that Logan needed a transplant, I offered Ryder as his donor if he was a match. Simple as that, if it would save Logan’s life. We were not expecting the blow that Ryder had the exact same rare disease – an immunodeficiency disorder that makes them extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases” said his mom.

Ryder and family (mom, dad and little sister Peyton) have stayed at the House for much of the past two years, first in the summer of 2012 for his diagnosis and several weeks of bloodwork, returning in February 2013 for Ryder’s scheduled bone marrow transplant, which, for a number of reasons, was postponed until January 2014. Their most recent stay has lasted seven months (and counting). His transplant was a success and they are now staying at the House until Ryder is well enough to travel back to Newfoundland. 

“I can’t stress enough that without Ronald McDonald House Toronto we really wouldn’t have been able to give him the treatment he needed. It was the hardest thing for us to come to, because what if the House wasn’t here, what would we have done? The two of us gave up our jobs to come here because we’re so far away and without the House, we wouldn’t have been able to stay”. 

Because Ryder requires so much isolation, it is difficult for the family to leave the House. “I really love the Home for Dinners – that’s how we meet new families. It’s a chance for me to go down as an adult and talk to another adult.” Being able to walk to the hospital is also a plus, because with Ryder’s condition they are not able to take public transit.  

“I can’t express how thankful we are for our time here. It’s amazing how everything is provided here at the House – it’s awesome, it helps us save that extra money for Ryder’s medication. Being able to stay here, you can really see what this place does for families like ours with a sick child, it really makes an impact in our lives. The House is our second home, and it’s our only home right now – we had to give up our home in Newfoundland. This is what our children call home. Ryder – he’s three and he knows this place better than I do. Even my little girl knows where our room is and which floor we’re on – it’s great.”