That’s when they learned about Ronald McDonald House – and even better, that they could all stay in Vancouver together! “It was a big relief that we knew we had a place to stay where Matthew was looked after, and it was even bigger when we found out it was for all of us,” remembers Chad.

For Matthew, being able to have his family by his side was priceless, and his whole family agrees that the best part of staying at the House is being together.

More than just a place to stay, the House meant relief from all other worries – like what they would eat for breakfast, to where 3-year-old Hudson could play – so they could focus on helping Matthew through his journey. They could grab a fresh-baked muffin if they were in a rush out the door, or on calmer days, sit and eat together as a family, something that would be impossible in a hotel room.

They were even able to celebrate Christmas at the House and they all agree: “We didn’t feel like we were missing out on being at home because it felt so special. It became our home.” Looking at 3-year-old Hudson, Chad laughs, “He thinks this IS home because he doesn’t remember!”

For Matthew, the House provides a much-needed sense of normalcy. The week he was diagnosed, he was supposed to start his hockey season – but being at the House meant he could continue to perfect his shooting skills. “Any time the weather’s nice, we all go out and get the hockey sticks and shoot some pucks!” It’s a place where he can enjoy time out from the hospital with his siblings, and even learn some new skills. “I started playing guitar,” he says, “And Carmen has started too, and we are learning together!”

For Hudson, the House is a safe zone, a place where he can run and play and experience typical toddler activities like making slime. For mom and dad, the massages help relieve some of the stress they carry with them every day.

While friends and family did their best to cheer them on from home, those conversations could sometimes be difficult – but Chad and Nichole found that they could instantly relate to other parents at the House. “It’s easier to talk to someone who’s also going through this, and it’s easier for them to talk to you,” says Chad. “I think we’ve probably made a few lifetime friends that we never would have met otherwise.”

This community of families also provided firsthand experience to help them navigate Matthew’s diagnosis. Nicole remembers, “Before Matthew started radiation, we met another family that had already gone through radiation, so they were kind of giving us the guide. Those conversations were so relatable and comforting. There’s not a lot of people that you can relate to when you’re going through this experience.”

The Gibbons family hopes to keep in touch with the families they met at the House, and when they are asked what they would say to anyone who has not stayed at Ronald McDonald House: “Make sure to donate!” they laugh. “I don’t know what we would have done without it,” says Nicole. “We wouldn’t have been able to stay together.” Chad adds, “And not even just emotionally, but financially too. If we didn’t have a place to stay…we’ve been here for 7 months and I don’t think anyone could afford it.”

Happily, Matthew and his family have been able to return home to Quesnel and do everything they’ve been wanting to do – from cooking in their own kitchen (Nicole’s happy place) to sleeping in their own beds. But his family will always remember their home away from home and have pledged to give back to the House.

“The idea of being joyful or happy in that week when we were first getting diagnosed – I just couldn’t imagine that,” remembers Nicole. “But there’s lots of joy here!”

Help keep families like the Gibbonses close.