“Medical technology today is not what it used to be. This battle is not as hard to fight as before. Let us keep fighting—stay strong!”
At our Shatin House, the very first house of Ronald McDonald House in Hong Kong, which is also the first in Asia—continues to provide a “Home away from Home” for families of sick children. Among those currently sheltered within here are young Hayley and her mother.
Overnight, Small Things Became Big Things
“Mummy, it hurts.” From last December, six-year-old Hayley began complaining of pain in her limbs. At first, the discomfort came and went, but by January, when her parents saw the pain getting worse, they decided to take her to Tuen Mun Hospital’s emergency department.
That night, the doctor felt lumps in Hayley’s neck and liver during the examination. He gently advised the parents to prepare themselves for the worst, offering a preliminary diagnosis of leukemia. Everything happened so fast and so suddenly that all her mother could think was, “Does she need surgery?” and “Do we need to donate bone marrow?”
The following day, Hayley was transferred to the Children’s Hospital, where the diagnosis was formally confirmed: T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“It went from something small to something big, all in one night,” her mother said. That summary was just the beginning. What followed was an overwhelming amount of information, intensive treatment plans, survival rate statistics, and the start of chemotherapy. Hayley’s parents chose to face it with strength and calmness, because there was only one path forward: to trust the treatment and take it step by step.
The Challenge of a Short Leave from the Hospital
On their very first day at the hospital, a medical social worker introduced Ronald McDonald House to Hayley’s mother. But back then, her knowledge of the charity was limited to McDonald’s restaurants and the charity raffle tickets;—she didn’t really understand the service. Although the family lived in Tuen Mun, she thought they could just go home if needed, so she politely declined the offer.
Reality, however, soon presented a harsh lesson. During a brief three-day home leave, Hayley developed a fever and had to be rushed back to the hospital. For a child with leukemia, a fever during chemotherapy can be very serious, and treatment has to be paused. This incident not only prolonged the entire treatment process but also put the whole family on edge.
Her mother realized that with all the clutter and toys at home, it was impossible to maintain a completely sterile, clean environment. At the same time, Hayley’s little sister often had a runny nose or cough from kindergarten. To protect Hayley from cross-infection, even if she could leave the hospital again briefly, she couldn’t go home.
A Fully Equipped Second Home
“My first impression upon arrival was how peaceful and clean it was. More importantly, you truly do not need to bring a single thing to move in,” her mother notes with profound gratitude. For a mother who has to take care of a sick child, and can hardly find time to buy daily necessities, the thoughtful arrangements at the House were touching.
What her mother appreciates most is the communal kitchen, fully equipped with utensils and rice cookers. Without needing to buy anything new, she could easily steam a fish and cook a bowl of rice, preparing fresh, nutritious home-cooked meals to boost Hayley’s strength and immunity.
For little Hayley, the House felt more like a colorful playground. What attracted her most was the claw machine. ” I can play with the claw machine whenever I want!” That became her daily entertainment during treatment. Her father works during the weekdays, and her younger sister has school. Because of this, they would make a special trip to visit on weekends so the whole family could finally spend some time together.
These were moments hard to achieve inside a hospital.
Easy Moments Within a Routine
Over the past three months of her stay, Hayley has established a comforting routine. Between regular hospital checkups, school assignments, and watching television, she enthusiastically participates in activities organized by the House, such as pizza-making workshops and Easter egg hunts. These vibrant, ordinary slices of life offer a beautiful distraction from her therapy.
Before moving here, Hayley often ran a fever after chemotherapy. But during her stay at Ronald McDonald House, she hasn’t had a fever again. In Hayley’s eyes, Ronald McDonald House is warm “yellow”—the color of the Shatin House building, and perhaps also a ray of sunshine brightening her journey through illness.
Words from the Heart for Companions
The House is far more than a place to pass the time or a physical shelter; it is a profound haven where parents can exchange knowing nods, share quiet conversations, and vent their frustrations. Though Hayley’s mother smiles and acknowledges that everyone has to go through their own journey and that excessive advice is rarely needed, she admits that the silent, empathetic companionship of other families brings an invaluable sense of peace.
To other families currently navigating similar storms, she offers these words of encouragement: ” Medical technology today is not what it used to be. This battle is not as hard to fight as before. Let us keep fighting—stay strong!”
Hayley’s family story continues to unfold within the embrace of the little yellow house. There, the beloved claw machine and the fully equipped kitchen remain their corners of joy in the fight against illness.
