Ronald McDonald House let us stay a normal family

Tori was a normal, full-of-life two-year-old girl up until two days before her diagnosis. Her family lives in a small town, Boggabri, approximately two hours from Tamworth. Her parents took her to Tamworth Hospital at 5 pm, thinking she was just unwell and dehydrated; by 9:15 pm, they were being airlifted to Westmead.

Upon arriving at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Tori’s scans and blood tests confirmed she had liver cancer. She had one large tumour, which ruptured, and multiple smaller tumours.

After several rounds of intensive chemotherapy, Tori had a liver transplant in September. The doctors have advised Katie and Cody that Tori will require treatment until April 2026.

“We get to still be a family.”

Katie says, “Staying at Ronald McDonald House means the world. It means we get to still be a family even though our world has been turned upside down. We wouldn’t be able to get through this if it weren’t for Ronald McDonald House.”

She shares that they called a few motels to ask for a quote for approximately 12 months, and they were quoted $64,000. As she had to quit work, the financial aspect of relocating for Tori’s treatment was their biggest stressor. “You have literally saved us $64,000, and that’s not even including meals.”

Apart from accommodation, Katie shares that the friendly staff and volunteers have been an incredible support. The freshly cooked meals are a godsend while the Learning Centre keeps Tori and twin sister Hailie entertained and, more importantly, gives them some normality.

The special bond between twins

The House being so close to the hospital is particularly special to the family, with Tori being a twin. Katie says, “We couldn’t separate Tori and Hailie, even if we wanted to. When Tori is in the hospital, Hailie frets, and Cody has had to bring Hailie over to the hospital at 1 am a few times because they’re fretting for each other.”

Katie continues, “After the liver transplant, the doctors said Tori recovered in record time of two weeks and five days, and they put it down to Hailie being there with her, every step of the way.”