In March 2020, the world was first coming to terms with COVID-19 and the major upheavals it would bring to all of our lives. In the midst of this crisis, 13-year-old Courtney Brake was diagnosed with cancer and her family learned she would need long-term treatment in Vancouver – an 18 hour drive away from their home in Fort Nelson (with no direct flights).

Courtney’s parents had taken her to the doctor after she began feeling abdominal pain, and after some tests, the family was sent four hours away to Fort St. John for a CT scan. The day after the scan, Courtney and her mom Linda found themselves in Vancouver, and they needed to stay close to the hospital for months. Since March 24, they have not been home.

For the first few months, Courtney and Linda lived out of their hospital room with no break from stressful treatments. Courtney was not well enough to leave, and Linda was determined to stay by her side for as long as it took. In July, they were able to move into Ronald McDonald House, a breath of fresh air for both mom and daughter.

“I had heard of RMH but I never imagined I would ever need it,” remembers Linda. “When we arrived, I was surprised at how nice it was.” Courtney is a figure skater and her brother is a hockey player, so the family has spent their fair share of time in hotels, but RMH BC was the perfect place for them to be in a time like this.

During treatment, some days are better than others, but for Courtney and Linda the House makes every day a little bit easier. On tough days, the big windows and outdoor spaces offer inviting places to relax, and on good days there are lots of activities to keep busy with, from baking in the kitchen to shooting hoops on the sports court.

Courtney and her mom are both regulars at virtual paint nights, where they love getting creative and socializing from a safe distance. Programs such as family meals and haircuts make life easier for Linda, while Courtney enjoyed dropping in to Teen Chill nights and getting to know other kids. With COVID-19, it’s even harder to feel connected when going through treatment, so she was glad to have this opportunity meet friends facing similar challenges.

Most importantly, staying at RMH BC helped the whole Brake family to reunite during this almost 6-month separation. Courtney’s dad and brother were able to visit RMH BC over the summer, and Courtney’s brother celebrated his 16th birthday at the House. “The House even gave him a birthday present!” remembers Linda.

Courtney has one more round of chemo to go, and the family is eagerly awaiting a break and the next steps – but until then they know they have a comfortable place to come home to at Ronald McDonald House. “It feels like home,” says Linda. “If you can’t be at home, it’s the next best thing.”