On Monday, March 17, Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman and other community leaders toured the site of the new Ronald McDonald Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH).
The Family Room, made possible by support from the Surrey Board of Trade and its members, will open in June to serve families from Surrey and the Fraser Valley.
A Ronald McDonald Family Room is a place of respite, relaxation and privacy for families with hospitalized children. When a child is critically ill, parents are reluctant to leave the hospital. Yet, they may desperately need a break from the ongoing stress of beeping monitors and busy intensive care units. They may have other children to care for, or simply need a hot meal and a shower while remaining close to their sick child.
Located outside of SMH's Neonatal ICU in the hospital’s new Critical Care Tower, the Family Room will keep families together during times of medical crisis. Amenities include four bedrooms with showers, kitchen and laundry facilities, TV and internet access, a play area and a comfortable lounge.
The Capital Campaign for the Surrey Family Room is now in the final push. Thanks to community support, the campaign has raised $480,000 so far. Ronald McDonald House BC needs to raise another $220,000 by the time the Family Room opens this June. You can contribute by visiting www.rmhbc.ca
A sneak peek at the Family Room and a series of information sessions are planned for the coming weeks. If you would like more information, contact Joe Hargitt at joe@rmhbc.ca or 604-736-2957.