In the long battle against illness, “home” is always the warmest haven. As they return home, each family shares their heartfelt stories and touching moments during their stay.
1. Emma’s Story: The first residents
In late September 2023, 9-year-old Emma was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a life-altering challenge for her and her family. Living in Tuen Mun, the long and exhausting trips to the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital quickly took a toll on the family, both physically and emotionally. In November 2023, the Kwun Tong House opened its doors, and shortly after, Emma’s family became one of its first residents, starting a close connection with the House that lasted a year and eight months.
When Emma first arrived, the House was still in its early stages of development. Over time, it grew into a well-organized and welcoming place. The House became more than just a temporary home—it provided a refuge for children and their families, offering various parent-child activities that helped them relax and recharge amidst the stress. Emma particularly enjoyed practicing Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese form of exercise. It not only helped her stretch and move her body but also brought moments of peace and joy to her treatment journey.
“The staff are truly warm and friendly; I see them more often than my own family.” Emma’s mother said with a smile. The staff not only offered warm words of encouragement, but also connected Emma and her family with other non-profits, helping them meet fellow parents and children on similar journeys. Ronald McDonald House became more than a place to stay; it grew into a supportive community filled with love and compassion, offering warmth and hope to every family navigating the challenges of treatment.
After enduring a long period of treatment, Emma was finally able to return home, begin a new chapter in life, and go back to school to make new friends. As for the future, Emma’s father expressed his greatest wish: for his daughter to stay healthy and happy. “Ronald McDonald House has helped us so much. The staff made us feel less alone, and even a simple word meant so much—it brought a little sweetness to the bitterness we were going through,” her mother said gratefully. Her father added, “the House gave us support, care, happiness, and hope during the most difficult times.”
Ronald McDonald House was not just a “home away from home” during Emma’s fight against illness—it was a place where she and her family rediscovered strength, hope, and resilience.
2. Matthew’s Story: Smiling Through Leukemia
When Matthew returned to Hong Kong from a trip to mainland China and suddenly experienced severe leg pain, his family initially thought it was due to a previous fall. However, his condition rapidly worsened—he could no longer stand, cried incessantly, and developed a persistent fever. Although X-rays showed no abnormalities, his fever spiked again despite medication, prompting the family to rush him back to the hospital. The next day, the diagnosis of leukemia struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving the entire family in disbelief.
Faced with the devastating news, Matthew’s mother was heartbroken. Yet, encouraged by the doctor, she wiped away her tears and resolved to confront the uncertain journey ahead. What moved her most was that young Matthew, though unable to fully comprehend his illness, could always sense his mother’s anxiety. Whenever he noticed her unease, he would try to cheer her up, becoming her greatest source of comfort.
Due to Matthew’s weakened immune system during treatment, maintaining a hygienic environment was critical. Additionally, he required freshly prepared meals within two hours. Upon referral by a medical social worker, the family moved into Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Hong Kong. Not only did it provide a clean environment meeting medical standards, but its proximity to the hospital also allowed Matthew’s mother to prepare suitable meals for him in a timely manner.
During their stay, Matthew engaged in activities like piano, drumming, and tutoring, which helped distract him from the stresses of treatment. Meanwhile, his mother found invaluable support in the community of parents caring for sick children. They shared experiences—from managing drug sensitivities to coping with side effects—equipping one another to face challenges ahead, ensuring no one felt alone on this difficult journey.
Today, Matthew has successfully completed his treatment. This “home away from home” not only provided a safe and supportive environment but also filled the emotional void during their most challenging times, enabling the family to hold each other’s hands and stride confidently toward a brighter tomorrow.
3. Chin’s Story: A Life Warrior Across Two Generations
When 7-year-old Chin told his teacher about his throat discomfort, his mother never imagined it would mark the beginning of another battle against cancer. Having lost his father to cancer, the family was particularly sensitive and fearful of the word “cancer.” After a private doctor discovered a foreign object in Chin’s tonsils and recommended immediate hospitalization, the eventual diagnosis of lymphoma brought his mother to tears in an instant.
“I was truly terrified at the time, but the doctor told us that the cure rate for childhood lymphoma is very high, and those words became our greatest hope in the darkness,” Chin’s mother recalled, tears still glistening in her eyes. Energetic and active by nature, Chin required general anesthesia to complete detailed examinations, and during the wait for the anesthetist, the entire family’s hearts remained suspended in uncertainty.
Fortunately, examination results showed that the tumor had not spread, allowing the medical team to develop a precise treatment plan. After six rounds of chemotherapy and six months of active treatment, Chin’s condition gradually stabilized, and he now only requires ongoing observation for the next seven years.
During treatment, Chin and his family stayed at Ronald McDonald House (Kwun Tong House). His mother shared emotionally, “Chin loves it here—the environment is so comfortable, and there are always people around to play with him. Seeing him smile again has been my greatest comfort during this challenging treatment journey.”
For his mother, the House’s shuttle bus service was like a timely rain. “When my child suddenly feels unwell, being able to get to and from the hospital immediately without enduring long waits—this peace of mind is irreplaceable.” Even more touching was how the House naturally formed a warm and supportive “small community,” where mothers encouraged one another, shared caregiving experiences, and cheered each other on.
Step by step, emerging from the shadow of his father’s passing, Chin has used his bravery and recovery journey to bring a hopeful new dawn to his family.
4. Yuet ’s Story: Finding Starlight
Yuet’s story began when she was just one month old, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At age five, the cancer relapsed, and she became the fifth child in Hong Kong to undergo advanced CAR-T cell therapy. The treatment required repeated injections, which tormented Yuet, who had feared needles since she was little.
To make hospital visits easier and to give her a temporary respite from the pain of treatment, her mother brought her to stay at Ronald McDonald House (Kwun Tong House). More than just a conveniently located place, it became their warmest shelter for the heart amidst the storm.
What the Yuet family treasured most was the warm, supportive community the House fostered. There, a natural network of support formed among families—a knowing glance, a helping hand, a simple “How are you?” This tangible mutual support made the long caregiving journey feel less lonely and became their most solid emotional anchor.
As a parent who has weathered her child’s critical illness twice, Yuet’s mother found strength in being a “companion on the same journey.” She has traveled the path from asking in despair, “Why my child?” to now being able to kindle hope for new parents. “I asked that countless times five years ago. But look, medicine has advanced, and we have new treatment options too.” This understanding, forged through shared adversity, has transformed the House into a harbor where hearts can heal and courage can be replenished together.
The various activities at the House also provided Yuet with precious moments of lightness. From moving in in 2024 to moving out in the autumn, RMHC HK was not just a shelter but a “refueling station” for the whole family, offering all-around care and accompanying them steadfastly on their road to recovery.
