The Fluter Family

“During Mikhaila’s surgery, I learned about Ronald McDonald House, and it seemed like the ideal place for us to stay while she underwent radiation therapy. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made, and we feel truly fortunate to have such a facility in our province. It was incredibly convenient and located just across the street from the Hospital and Cancer Clinic.”.

“My name is Roberta Fluter and my daughter’s name is Mikhaila Critchley and we live in Moose Jaw, SK.

In April 2022, Mikhaila fell ill, and it wasn’t until July when we made an emergency trip to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon that we received a confirmed diagnosis: she had a brain tumor. On July 8th, she underwent surgery to successfully remove the tumor. Following this, we needed to return to Saskatoon for 33 radiation therapy treatments.

Saskatoon is a 2.5-hour drive from Moose Jaw, making daily commutes impractical.

During Mikhaila’s surgery, I learned about Ronald McDonald House (RMH), and it seemed like the ideal place for us to stay while she underwent radiation therapy. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made, and we feel truly fortunate to have such a facility in our province. Located just across the street from the Hospital and Cancer Clinic, it was incredibly convenient.

Upon arrival, we were unsure of what to expect, but we were warmly welcomed by the remarkable staff and volunteers. Their hospitality made a significant difference, easing our stress with cooked meals for dinner and breakfasts provided by those amazing volunteers. Not having to drive around to find food saved us a lot of time and effort.

The rooms at RMH were very clean and quiet, providing a great space to relax and unwind. It also allowed me to do some work and Mikhaila to complete her schoolwork after treatments.

The cost of staying at RMH significantly alleviated our financial burden, proving to be much more affordable than a hotel stay. The amenities, use of the wi-fi, the garden spaces, the play area, the massage chair, and gym facility, contributed to our comfort. I used the gym daily to maintain my strength while supporting Mikhaila through her treatments.

We met wonderful people during our stay and loved our visits with Tibbs, the therapy dog. After staying at RMH, I am incredibly thankful that we have this resource and the support of the community which makes the programming possible. With the help of RMH, we were able to turn a stressful situation into a very positive experience”.

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