McDonald's McHappy Day raises funds for families with sick children

Photo: Contributed

The Paul family standing outside the RMH BC

McDonald’s is hoping to raise over $6 million Canada-wide for families with sick children with the return of its McHappy Day.

On Wednesday, a portion of the proceeds from all menu items all day will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

RMHC supports families with sick children by giving them a place to stay near the child’s treatment, and provides emotional support, activities, transportation and food to the families staying with them.

This will be the first year all menu items will be included in the McHappy Day fundraising.

Nation-wide, McDonald’s hopes to raise $6.6 million dollars.

According to RMHC, the foundation helps over 26,000 families from more than 3,400 communities every year.

Every McDonald’s purchase made on Wednesday will help fund families like the Pauls from Alkali Lake, who were tied to the B.C. Children’s Hospital for the second time when their son, Tyson, was in need of regular dialysis as he waited for a kidney transplant.

Tyson and his parents stayed 518 nights at Ronald McDonald House BC before Tyson got his transplant and was able to go home.

The family was familiar with RMHC BC as they stayed there in 2011 before their son, Nicholas, passed away while battling Leukemia.

Zena Paul, Tyson and Nicholas’s mother, said she couldn’t imagine going through treatment with her sons with out RMH.

“It just made things easier for our family. When we were with our son [Nicholas], we didn't have to worry so much about the everyday little things that we really shouldn't have to worry about,” Zena said.

Zena said the family didn’t have a vehicle, but RMH let them sign out a van so they didn’t feel stuck in the house.

“It was really a home away from home,” Zena said.

"It was very warm and I can't even describe it because it's just amazing."