This week, Ronald McDonald House Toronto opened the doors to a new Ronald McDonald House Family Room at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in the Patient Support Centre — a space filled with light, hope, and heart.

Learn more about Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms here.

The milestone celebration brought together donors, partners, families, hospital leaders, and community champions to see firsthand what their generosity made possible: a haven for parents and caregivers of seriously ill children to rest, recharge, and reconnect — steps away from their child’s bedside.

The opening was also featured on CP24 and CTV Toronto, highlighting how this new Family Room is transforming the hospital to take care of parents and siblings while a child is receiving care.

Watch the CP24 coverage here.

More than a Room — a Promise

“This space represents so much — care, comfort, community — all made possible by the generosity of our incredible partners and donors,” said Louise Smith, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Toronto, as she welcomed guests.
“Together, we are ensuring that while a child receives world-class care, their family receives the care they need too.”

For more than 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Toronto has provided a home-away-from-home for families with seriously ill children. Through our seven Family Rooms — now including two at SickKids — that same sense of belonging extends right into hospitals.

“When a child is in the hospital, family doesn’t visit. Family stays,” Louise said — words that capture the essence of everything this space represents.

Care Made Visible: A City that Leads with Heart

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed pride in joining the celebration, calling the new Family Room “care made visible.”

“This Family Room reflects the heart of Toronto — a city built on compassion, inclusion, and care for one another,” she said. “When one family is struggling, our city’s strength shows in how we step up together.”

Mayor Chow recognized what families face when a child is in the hospital — the long days, sleepless nights, and endless waiting. “This Family Room gives them a place to rest, eat, shower, breathe — to feel human again,” she said. “Small comforts make a big difference in helping families stay strong and hopeful.”

She thanked Ronald McDonald House Toronto, SickKids, donors, and volunteers “for creating comfort, dignity, and hope for families when they need it most,” before joining Louise Smith for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

A Mother’s Story: Finding Strength in Small Moments

Jenna Devlin, whose five-year-old son, Hendrix, spent 42 days at SickKids while receiving life-saving treatment, shared how the Family Room became her lifeline.

“It was where I could finally wash off the hospital germs, grab a coffee, and do something that felt almost normal — laundry,” she said. “Those small moments of care helped me make it through the hardest days.”

Her message to other parents beginning the same journey was simple but profound:

“You’re not alone. There’s a whole community ready to hold you up when you need it most.
Use the Family Room. Take the shower. Eat the snacks. Do the laundry.
Those small moments of care will help you make it through.”

Every Family Room holds stories of courage and care. See how Jenna and her son Hendrix found strength in small moments that made all the difference.

Partnership in Action

Karen Kinnear, Vice-President of Clinical Operations and Patient and Family Experience at SickKids — and a Ronald McDonald House Toronto Board Member — reflected on how collaboration made this Family Room possible.

“For more than 44 years, Ronald McDonald House Toronto has been a cornerstone of paediatric family support in Canada — providing rest, nourishment, and community for families when life turns upside down,” Karen said.

“As a Board Member, I’ve seen firsthand how the organization continues to innovate and expand its reach, always keeping families at the heart of everything it does. At SickKids, we share that same commitment to family-centred care. Our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Toronto is a powerful example of what’s possible when hospital and community come together.”

This new Family Room is a direct reflection of that collaboration. With SickKids caring for more complex patients than ever, families needed more space to rest and recharge — without stepping too far from their child’s bedside.

“This beautiful space does exactly that,” Karen said. “It gives caregivers a place to breathe, to find strength, and to return to their child’s room renewed. Every detail — from the recliners and quiet corners to the laundry and snack areas — was designed to support families in the moments they need it most.”

Care that Extends Beyond Medicine

To close the event, Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and CEO of SickKids, spoke about the importance of spaces that care for the whole family:

“Most of the children that we take care of are extremely, extremely ill. And there is nothing more stressful than that. Having an opportunity to step aside — whether you do laundry or eat the snacks or whatever activity you do, including these beautiful sleeping pods — is so instrumental. I am so grateful to Ronald McDonald House Toronto for partnering with us to create this space.”

Together, We Make It Possible

With this new Family Room — the seventh operated by Ronald McDonald House Toronto — more families at SickKids will have a quiet, comforting place to call their own during the toughest times.

It’s a promise of care, comfort, and community. A reminder that when the unthinkable happens, Family Stays — together.

Every Family Room begins with generosity — from people who believe that no family should face a child’s illness alone.
Your gift helps ensure that parents and caregivers at SickKids have a place to rest, recharge, and find strength when they need it most.

Please make a gift today to help more families stay close. Donate here.