Available Resources
Searching for support when your child is ill can be a daunting task. Friends of Children provides you with information on accommodation, transportation and other charities to ease the stress when your son or daughter must see doctors away from home. A long stay for medical treatment creates the challenge of finding affordable accommodation close to your child. Travel to and from your child’s medical appointment also poses questions of the most-cost efficient method to reach the medical destination. Friends of Children is in close contact with BC Children’s Hospital Vancouver, University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary and Stollery Hospital in Edmonton. We often hear from service coordinators of the various hospitals who pursue support for families of children in medical need.
Accommodation Support
BC Family Residence ProgramThe BC Family Residence program is for BC families outside the lower mainland whose child must attend BC Children’s Hospital. The program is to assist with the family’s accommodation while their child is at BCCH. Phone:1.866.496.6946 |
|
Easter Seal House – Vancouver3981 Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6N 4H5 Provides a comfortable place for families and children being treated at any of the local hospitals for any illness, trauma or surgery. Rooms include a private bathroom, and kitchenette along with other amenities in the House. $60.00 per room per night/ max. 4 guests. Website: www.lionsbc.ca |
|
Easter Seal House – Prince GeorgeCLOSED |
|
Ronald McDonald House – BC4567 – Heather Street Vancouver, BC A home-away-from-home for children who require treatment at local Vancouver hospitals. $12.00 per night per family Phone: 1.604.736.2957 |
|
Ronald McDonald House – Southern Alberta111 West Campus Place NW Calgary Alberta A compassionate, safe and affordable home-away-from-home for out-of-town families whose children are receiving treatment in a local Calgary hospital. $12.00 per night per family Phone: 403.240.3000 |
|
Ronald McDonald House – Northern Alberta7726-106 Street Edmonton Alberta Providing a temporary home-away-from home for families of children who have to travel to Edmonton for medical treatment. $12.00 per night per family Phone: 780.439.5437 |
Transportation Support
Northern Health Connections BusGround transportation program for northern patients needing to travel out of town for medical appointments in the northern health authority service delivery area. They also transport northern residents to Kamloops and Vancouver for medical services. Fares can be paid in advance with a Visa or Mastercard, or with cash at the point of pick-up. Please see the route rates and schedules as displayed on the link above. Phone: 1.888.647.4997 |
|
Hope AirFunded flights for child with medical appointment and guardian. Requires a referral from family doctor, visiting doctor and record of income. Phone: 1.877.346.4673 |
|
BC Shriner’s Care CruiserFunded bus transportation for any BC child and their parents, or care givers who are receiving treatment at any Shriners Hospitals for Children, BC Childrens Hospital, BC Women’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital. Phone: 1.800.661.5437 |
Other Support
BC Children’s HospitalBC Children’s Hospital provides expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, including newborns and adolescents. Based in Vancouver, BC Children’s Hospital provides the province with vital health services that may not be available anywhere else in B.C. Phone: 1.888.300.3088 |
|
Stollery Hospital EdmontonHighly-skilled child health professionals from around the world have made the Stollery Children’s Hospital a well-recognized centre for specialized pediatric services. The Stollery is Western Canada’s referral centre for pediatric cardiac surgery and national leader in organ transplantation. Phone: 780.407.8822 |
|
Alberta Children’s Hospital CalgaryThe Alberta Children’s Hospital is used by patients from birth to age 18 from southern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Saskatchewan as multi-disciplinary teams work together to promote healing through family-centred care. Phone: 403.955.7211 |