In partnership with McDonald’s Restaurants – including the locally owned and operated McDonald’s Restaurants in Prince George – Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Northern Health, and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation (SNHF) will celebrate the grand opening of the Prince George Ronald McDonald House Family Room on Thursday, December 4.
This milestone event will welcome donors, hospital staff, alumni families, and community members to see firsthand how this new Family Room will provide comfort, care, and connection for families whose children are receiving medical treatment at UHNBC. The ribbon-cutting will be at 2 p.m. at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.
Located within the University Hospital of Northern BC, the Family Room will be a sanctuary of comfort, care, and connection for families with children receiving medical treatment at UHNBC. The unit contains three sleep rooms, a stocked kitchenette, dining area as well as a living room, laundry, bathroom with shower – and will support hundreds of families from the region.
The Ronald McDonald House Family Room is part of a province-wide expansion to bring vital supports closer to home for families across the Northern Health Region.
Serving a region where approximately 25 per cent of Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon’s Vancouver House families originate, the Prince George Family Room fills a crucial gap in local support for families facing medical crises.
The space will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to families of patients ranging from 0-18, with three sleep rooms available through referral by hospital staff.
“Our family has known so many people who relied on the House in Vancouver, and recently we did as well when our oldest son had a spinal surgery at BC Children’s Hospital,” said local resident Dave Horton. “We have seen firsthand just how life-changing that support can be. Having services like the Family Room here in Prince George means families in our region will now experience the same level of comfort, care, and sense of closeness to their child while being far from home. The impact this space will have locally will be incredible.”
“Prince George has always had an extraordinary spirit of generosity, and we see it every year through initiatives like McHappy Day and the many fundraising efforts our community rallies behind,” said Eric Simmons – Locally Owned and Operated McDonald’s Restaurant’s in Prince George. “Seeing the Family Room become a reality is an incredibly proud moment for all of us at McDonald’s. This space reflects what can happen when a community comes together with heart and determination to support families when they need it most.”
“The opening of the Prince George Family Room is a powerful reminder that when Family Stays, comfort and connection stay too,” said Richard Pass, CEO, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon. “This space ensures parents can rest, recharge, and remain close to their child when it matters most. It reflects our shared commitment to making sure families in the North can stay together, find strength, and never feel alone on their journey.”
“Seeing the Ronald McDonald Room open at UHNBC is a moment of true joy—it’s been a long time coming, and it means so much to families across the North,” said Aimee Cassie, CEO Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. “We’re incredibly grateful to our generous supporters, especially our local McDonald’s restaurants, for helping transform this space into a place of comfort and care. Collaborating with RMH to bring this vision to life has been incredibly meaningful, and we know its impact will be felt by families across the North.”
This is the third Ronald McDonald House Family Room, as a resource for families in British Columbia and the Yukon, following successful openings in Surrey (which has supported over 15,000 family visits in 2024) and Kamloops, which opened in June 2025.
About Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon
At Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Family Stays is more than a slogan – it’s our mission. We believe in the power of family-centered care and the strength that comes from being together through life’s hardest moments. When family stays close, healing happens, hope grows, and joy finds a way. Since opening its doors in Shaughnessy in 1983, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon has supported families traveling for their child’s medical care. What began as a 13-bedroom home has grown into a 73-bedroom House, along with Family Rooms in Surrey, Kamloops, and Prince George – ensuring families across BC and the Yukon can stay supported, connected, and cared for.
About Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation
The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation began its journey in 1991 to enhance the quality of healthcare within the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) service area. Since then, we have been instrumental in contributing over $40 million towards essential needs! This funding has helped improve capital equipment, enhance facilities, and support the ongoing education of healthcare professionals and medical staff.