How We Donate

Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario (RMHC®SCO) serves as a regional resource for hundreds of families of critically ill children who are being treated at local hospitals. Each year, we provide accommodation for 1000 families at our House across South Central Ontario. Our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®, located at McMaster Children’s Hospital, also provide respite care with over 150,000 visits from families.

When a child is seriously ill, the specialized treatment required for their major medical procedures may only be available far from home and often requires lengthy out-of-town hospitalization. The lives of these families are instantly turned upside down.

RMHC®SCO is committed to providing families of seriously ill children with safe and comfortable accommodations, nutritious home-cooked meals, laundry services, and specialized programming. These comforts of home provide a sense of normalcy when families lives are anything but and ensure that the only thing the families need to focus on is each other.

The Tender Wishes Foundation is a local non-profit organization based in Niagara Falls, established nearly 40 years ago when a police officer's child was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Colleagues of the officer came together to fulfill the child's wish for a TV, sparking the foundation's mission to grant wishes to children aged 2 to 19 in the Niagara Region facing similar circumstances. They ensure that children have not received a wish from any other organization before granting theirs. With an average of 4 to 8 wishes granted annually since 1984, they have fulfilled nearly 300 wishes, ranging from tangible items like wheelchairs and computers to experiences like meeting celebrities or trips to Give Kids the World in Florida. The foundation maintains contact with wish recipients through events and parties, fostering ongoing support and bonds with families. Operating with minimal overhead costs and entirely by volunteers, they rely on donations and fundraising events, with 90% of funds directed towards wish fulfillment. They pride themselves on being the only wish-granting organization solely run by volunteers, without government funding.

“Help A Child Smile” (HACS) was created in 1987 from the need to bring some joy into the lives of children with cancer. The wish of a brave young child to go to Wonderland soon after it opened inspired family and friends, and Help A Child Smile was born.

Now in its fourth decade, HACS is serving over 1500 families whose child is being or has been treated for cancer at McMaster Children’s Hospital. There are an average of 150 children in active treatment at any given time.

The Board of Directors remains dedicated to providing opportunities for these children to smile and have fun, even if only for a couple of hours, a day, or a week.

Mission Statement:

"An organization focused on children with cancer treated at the Children’s Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation by providing opportunities for them and their families to smile and have fun."

The Children's Wish Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation have combined forces, united in their mission to fulfill the wishes of every eligible child across Canada.

Operating under the new banner of "Make-A-Wish Canada," the organization anticipates a 25 percent increase in their capacity to grant wishes annually for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Make-A-Wish-Canada specializes in fulfilling wishes for children facing critical illnesses, dedicated to realizing the dreams of every eligible child. A wish is not just a desire but an essential component of a child's healing journey, supported by research indicating that fulfilling wishes can bolster both physical and emotional resilience in the face of illness. In Canada, they extend services to every corner of the country, serving communities from coast to coast to coast. Make-A-Wish Canada has brought joy to over 37,000 children through wish fulfillment nationwide, with over 1,000 wishes granted last year alone.

In March 2010, Alivia Vanderklei passed away at the age of four and a half after bravely battling neuroblastoma for 15 months. Throughout her treatments, which included chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, and numerous procedures, she maintained a positive attitude and a loving demeanor. Alivia enjoyed giving back, often bringing treats for her friends at McMaster Children's Hospital. Her family experienced significant financial strain during her illness, prompting them to establish Alivia's Rainbows in her memory. The organization aims to support pediatric oncology patients and their families by helping with expenses such as parking, gas, food, and lost wages. Proceeds primarily benefit pediatric oncology patients and their families, with additional support provided to organizations like McMaster Children's Hospital-3B Child Life, Ronald McDonald House Hamilton, the James Fund for neuroblastoma cancer research, Help A Child Smile, Camp Trillium, and Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada is dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. They aim to improve the quality of life for those affected by blood cancers and their families through funding research, providing educational resources, services, and support. With over 155,000 Canadians living with or in remission from various types of blood cancers, the organization has evolved to become the largest registered charitable health agency supporting the blood cancer community in Canada. Their efforts include funding research, providing information, offering psychological and emotional support, and empowering individuals to navigate their blood cancer journey effectively.

McMaster Children's Hospital located in Hamilton, Ontario is Canada's largest pediatric teaching hospital. Operated by Hamilton Heath Sciences (a network of seven Hamilton hospitals), it cares for a large portion of children in Canada going through cancer treatments.