The Rovensky Family

“The staff, volunteers, and other families they meet will help guide them through and they will be so grateful to have met them all and to know they will always be welcomed back with open arms.“

“In January of 2024, our then 11-year-old daughter, Kadence, was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Our lives were flipped upside down as we learned what it all meant and all the changes we would be going through. We did not know at the time just how much time we would be spending in Saskatoon, away from our Regina home.
           
Justin went to the Ronald McDonald House first by himself and received a tour. He came back to the hospital and told us about what a great place it seemed to be. It took me some time to get there, as I never wanted to leave Kadence’s side, but once we finally made it there, we realized very quickly what a special place it was. From Dori’s cheerful personality, the caring Home for Dinner volunteers and staff, to the helpful housekeepers and everyone else working and volunteering there, everyone appears to love doing their jobs and actually want to be there. You can see it in their smiles, their demeanor, and their actions. We always felt so taken care of, whether it was the meals, the snacks, the activities, or the conversation.
           
Kadence faced some serious medical challenges last year, and it started to take a toll on our mental health at times. When I started to feel lost after months of just being our daughter’s caretaker and feeling like I was losing myself, I spoke with Joanne, a food program associate, and asked if I could help a bit in the kitchen. She reacted so positively and excitedly and gave me everything I needed to start baking and making desserts for the house on certain Home for Dinner nights. As someone who loves baking, having that opportunity to make and share treats really helped improve my mental state, and I don’t think they minded having extra treats for the house.
           
Speaking of the Home for Dinner program, we can’t say enough about how great it is to be able to sit down and eat delicious, home-cooked meals served by smiling, caring faces. Sitting next to other families who are facing similar challenges where you can chat and make connections, you learn to lean on each other. I believe food is a love language, and cooking for others shows them that you care, so we made a Home for Dinner meal one evening and several soups to share while there. It felt so good to give something back to the house that was giving so much to us.
           
We stayed at RMHC-SK on and off following Kadence’s diagnosis, with our longest continuous stay lasting 4 months. To date, we have stayed there for 296 days. When Kadence finally finished intense treatment and we came home, knowing if all went well we wouldn’t have to return, we felt so many mixed emotions. We have made so many friendships and connections with the staff, volunteers and other families. These were people who understood what it meant to have a child with serious medical issues and the toll it takes on the family. We miss everyone and the amazing hugs they offered.
           
Having stayed at RMHC-SK and experienced all it has to offer I could confidently tell others that if and when they have a child going through medical challenges and they are away from their homes and their lives, they have a new home to go to. One that will take care of them and make sure they have what they need to get through that difficult time. The staff, volunteers, and other families they meet will help guide them through, and they will be so grateful to have met them all and to know they will always be welcomed back with open arms.”

.

“