Keeping families close

Brotherly Bond

In Finn van Loon’s first five months of life he had more medical adventures than most would ever encounter. To name just some, he experienced brain bleeds, a collapsed lung, hernias, sepsis, a fungal infection and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and a serious eye disorder. This saw h... Read more about In Finn van Loon’s first five months of life he had more medical adventures than most would ever encounter. Thanks to supporters of Ronald McDonald House South Island, Finn’s twin brother Adam was able to remain his number one supporter

Hamish's Story

When three-year-old Hamish began to feel unwell, his parents Ben and Olivia from Ashburton and his doctors thought he must have a common childhood viral infection. Six weeks later Hamish was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. He underwent ... Read more about When three-year-old Hamish began to feel unwell, his parents Ben and Olivia from Ashburton and his doctors thought he must have a common childhood viral infection. Six weeks later Hamish was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Hard hats and hammers at the House that love built

She also knows that as the years go by, Ronald McDonald House South Island adapts to continue to best deliver its Mission – to create, find and support programmes that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their family/whanau. As part of that future planning, preparation for a... Read more about Ronald McDonald House South Island GM of Operations Sharon Cocker, sees every day how important it is for families with children in hospital to be able to focus on what matters most, their child.

A Gracious Miracle

She’s not old enough to understand it yet, but when she is, Reese Harrison says she will tell her daughter about the role Ronald McDonald House South Island played in her earliest days. “I will tell Milah that Ronald McDonald House allowed us to become a family. It allowed us to become parents a... Read more about As Milah Lavea marks her first birthday, mum Reese and Dad Tupu can’t help but be amazed by their determined, strong-willed little girl – especially when they reflect on the year that’s been.

An Invaluable Gift

The gate opens and Michelle Osgood and daughter Zoe drive out of Christchurch’s Ronald McDonald House for what should be the last time. As they turn onto the road, they see a crowd forming a guard of honour along the entrance to the House, waving and cheering them away. It’s the Ronald McDonald H... Read more about Michelle Osgood shares her journey after staying 270 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island when her daughter Zoe was diagnosed with osteosarcoma

Stevie, Clint and baby Harvey share their journey

Stevie White and partner Clinton from the West Coast have spent more than 100 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island prior to and after the birth of son Harvey. Harvey was born prematurely and has a cleft lip and palate which would require ongoing treatment in Christchurch. 1 in 700 childre... Read more about After spending more than 100 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island prior to and after the birth of son Harvey, Stevie shares their journey over the last 19 months.

The overwhelming kindness of strangers

It wasn’t until November 2020, when her son Buddie was born at just 36 weeks, that the significance of the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Southland Hospital really hit home. “I’d had a few complications during my pregnancy and had been monitored pretty frequently as a result. At 36 weeks, I ended... Read more about Former Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew has been an avid supporter of Ronald McDonald House South Island since her netball days when her team chose the organisation as their Charity of Choice.

Money Box hosts are an important part of our fundraising community. Here, Rebecca Excell from the Winton Night ‘n Day, shares her story – she has recently put a Money Box on their store counter. “I had heard of Ronald McDonald House South Island but to be honest, did not know the extent of the aw... Read more about

William's Journey

When William was born, we discovered he had a genetic condition called Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), which is an overgrowth disorder. Unfortunately, this condition makes him more susceptible to some childhood cancers, including Hepatoblastoma and Wilms Tumours. William was being screened reg... Read more about William was just 9 months old when it was discovered he had Hepatoblastoma and began his treatment at Christchurch Hospital, which continued during the country-wide Lockdown period. His Mum Sabrina shares their journey this year.

A year in the life of Stevie, Clint and Baby Harvey

Stevie White and partner Clinton from the West Coast had spent more than 50 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island prior to and after the birth of son Harvey. Harvey was born prematurely and has a cleft lip and palate which would require ongoing treatment in Christchurch. Stevie is sharing ... Read more about In this new series, Stevie White from the West Coast shares her family’s journey over the year as they seek treatment for baby Harvey’s cleft palate. 1 in 700 children are affected by cleft palate.