When meeting 16-year-old Jordyn Tolles for the first time, you would assume that she was any other young vibrant teenager. Her beautiful smile, cheerful personality and infectious laugh brighten up the whole room. Especially admirable is her positive outlook on life, considering the odds she has beat.
At the age of four, Tolles was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At the time of diagnosis, the disease was discovered in her lower back but it had spread through out her lungs and her superior vena cava. Knowing how quickly the cancer could become fatal, Tolles began treatment right away at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, with her mother Deb by her side.
The strain and stress of undergoing chemotherapy and radiation was hard for young Tolles and her mother, so the two moved into Ronald McDonald House for support with the process. Since the Ronald McDonald House was close to the hospital, it allowed for Tolles’ mom to travel to and from the hospital and stay close to her daughter throughout treatment.
“The support system at Ronald Mcdonald House was great,” Tolles said. “I met a lot of inspiring people there. I also made a lot of friends that could relate to what I was going through.”
Soon after treatment started, Tolles was transferred to Florida to undergo a special type of radiation therapy, designed specifically to help fight the rare form of cancer Tolles had. Tolles and her mom stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Florida during those six months.
The Ronald McDonald House is a sort of ‘home away from home’ for the Tolleses and countless other families going through the same thing.
“It really helped with the process. It gave my mom a place to go when I would be in treatment,” the younger Tolles said.
On May 6, McDonald’s restaurants across Canada will be hosting McHappy Day to raise money for Ronald McDonald Houses and local health initiatives for children with illnesses.
A dollar from every McCafe beverage, Happy Meal or Big Mac sold goes toward the fundraiser. Donations are also accepted.
Brandy Walker, owner and operator of the Merritt McDonald’s, elaborated on the importance of making a contribution on this day.
“Any little bit helps. Even if you can only donate 25 cents, that little bit can go a long way,” Walker said.
This year, all proceeds from McHappy Day will be going to the pediatrics ward at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
“Almost everyone in Merritt has had an experience at Royal Inland Hospital, whether delivering a baby or taking your child there for treatment,” Walker said. “Royal Inland Hospital is very important to our community.”
Last year, proceeds from the Merritt McDonald’s restaurant helped the pediatrics ward at Royal Inland purchase a state-of-the-art infant warmer system. This year, the goal is to raise enough funds to purchase a mechanical ventilator for the neonatal intensive care unit, which costs approximately $50,000.
As for Tolles, this fundraiser really hits close to home. She still travels to Ronald McDonald House when she goes for her yearly checkups.
“I hope to become a nurse after I graduate,” she explained. “I want to help and support people the same way I got help and support when I was going through my treatments. The people at Ronald McDonald House really make my visits a positive experience and I want to do that for someone else too.”
