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Meet Evan

As the rest of the moms on her block were helping their children put on costumes,

Transforming their little ones into super heroes or fairy princesses for a night of trick or treating, Jill Wallace was wishing she possessed super human powers or magic of her own. She had just learned the terrifying news that her three-year-old daughter, Evan, had leukemia, and she was trying to figure out how to share it with her family. Jill wished that with the wave of a wand she could make it disappear – that just as she had always been able to do, she could make it all better for her brave daughter.

But treating Evan’s leukemia required some of the best doctors in one of the best hospitals in Canada. So Jill and Evan traveled outside of their community to Edmonton and then to Calgary for intensive chemo therapy and then a stem cell transplant. Upon the family’s arrival, the Wallaces checked-in to the Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta.

At the House, the Wallace family received so much more than a roof over their head, keeping them close to the hospital and to Evan. Within the House were 22 other family suites – 22 other families going through trials similar to what the Wallaces were facing. They weren’t alone. Alongside 22 other children and families, offering support and strength Evan fought with her all her might.

"I had heard of Ronald McDonald Houses before, but I didn't really know what they were, or how they helped, or how much my family would need one,” recalled Jill. "Nobody can relate to what you're going through quite like another family staying at the House. We all just came together and supported each other in every way possible. It was amazing."

After Evan's transplant, Jill and Evan spent the majority of their time away from the hospital, in the House "just healing." Most days, Evan could be found in the Craft Room, gluing, coloring, and glittering projects that she was proud of. Evan and Jill also embraced spending free time with all the other families at the House, baking, enjoying volunteer-prepared meals, sharing stories, and getting better together.

The time spent at the House, especially the weekends when Evan’s brothers and father came to visit, played a vital role in Evan’s recovery.

"Had we not been able to spend time together as a family at the Ronald McDonald House, I'm not sure where we'd be," says Jill. "The House helped Evan, me, and my whole family heal.”

For a total of 108 nights, Jill found a very real kind of magic inside the walls of a Ronald McDonald House. It was the kind of power that RMHC is known for – healing power that comes from the RMHC network of support and the gift of togetherness when its needed most.

Today, Evan is about to turn five and has been in remission for seven months. Always with a smile on her face, Evan is learning how to skate and is enrolled in playschool. 

"She's enjoying play dates and having a normal life for the first time in a long time," says Jill. "I wish I could see life from her perspective because everything she does has so much excitement and joy with it."

Comments (6)|(Hide)

  • antonita spradley

    24/01/2013 8:16pm

    my major to become doctor to work with children that are sick. i will want to go college and study by try help given them hope that will help them recover from their

  • Jonnie Driver

    22/01/2013 9:41am

    I am truly thankful for Evans recovery and thankful that she is now cancer free. May God Bless you and your family. The place that I work goes to the Ronald McDonal House and prepares a meal for the family in Durham, North Carolina and it is also such in inspiration to me to be able to do this. We meet a lot of great people and kids and get to hear about their experiences and it is always so heart warming and makes you so thankful for what you have. Ronald McDonald House is truly a God send.
    Good Luck to you Evan may God bless you.

  • LaCleve

    19/01/2013 11:35pm

    I am so happy or shall I say estatic that things turned out so well for Evan, you and the whole family. My daughter passed away in 1993 from a brain tumor so I do know that this was a real difficult experience for you and your daughter but the RMHC can be such a relief and the environment is so homey. Thank you RMHC. May God continue to bless Evan and her family.

  • Stephanie Pringle

    16/01/2013 8:14pm

    I came to this website to get more information on how the Ronald McDonald house works. I am 19 years old and have babysat a child who was diagnosed with leukemia. Since she was diagnosed I have done everything in my power to help cancer patients. Thank you for sharing your experience and I will be sure to donate so that more families can heal! I'm so happy that Evan is in remission and pray that she always stays healthy and happy! Sending prayers and love your way!

  • Bill and Shelley Wallace

    11/12/2012 1:35am

    As Grandparents of Evan we too had the comfort and compassion of Ronald McDonald House... It's difficult watching not only your grandchildren but your children go through these horrific challenges... This house made the road much easier.. Thank-You

  • Jill Wallace

    10/12/2012 11:18pm

    I am Evans Mom and I'd like to say that the Ronald McDonald Houses are magical places that not only help people heal physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Thank you rmh charities!

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