Category: Families

Each year, families from the Pilbara with sick or injured kids will reach out to Ronald McDonald House WA for support whilst in Perth for medical treatment. One of those families is Lauren Lucas and Brendan Fulton who live in Karratha 1,500kms from Perth.

It was Wednesday, February 17th 2021. Jasmine, her partner Patrick and their eldest son Oliver went to their local maternity hospital, 350km away from their home in Laverton, Western Australia.

In the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, 700kms away from Perth is Esperance. It’s here that Amelia, Rory and Matilda (5.5 months) call home. Little Matilda was born early at 35 weeks with severe growth restriction. One day before Matilda was born, her parents Amelia and Rory, learned that she had a large hole in her small heart.

Rebecca and Russell Pusey live in Geraldton, a 4.5 hour drive from Perth, with their daughters Willow and April. In December 2019, Willow was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  A cancer that accounts for 40% of lymphoma cases in children and, more commonly in children 10 to 14 years.

Albany Mum Sara Smith, for the love of her son Liam, has traveled almost 40,000kms over 14 years. “Travelling a long distance knowing that you have somewhere to stay when you arrive in Perth is less stressful,” says Sara.

For resilient Kalgoorlie families like the Rameka’s, Ronald McDonald House WA made a significant difference during the most difficult time of their lives. It was not long after her 3rd birthday that Mikaylah’s parents, Julia and Shaun noticed their very active child, was suddenly “off balance” and was having trouble walking.