“Gabriel understands Kevin better than anyone else. They’re best friends. That’s why my family needs to be together.”

The only person who can make Kevin smile is his brother, Gabriel.

Gabriel keeps Kevin smiling through the most difficult times in his life.

Two years ago, my husband, Juan, my children and I stayed at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto while Kevin received life-saving cancer treatment. During a physically and emotionally painful time, Gabriel cheered him up in a way nobody else could. Being at the House together got Kevin through some dark days before we could go home.

Kevin’s cancer came back in May and my family was devastated. We never expected to go through this again. But knowing we were going back to RMHC Toronto gave us peace of mind. It feels like home.

Please give the Gift of Nights today. Every gift of $183 supports one family for one night.

If we didn’t have the House, our lives would be very different. Juan would have to work at home, in Ottawa, Ont., and my family would be separated. Kevin needs both of his parents, and especially his brother, to find strength and smile.

As we prepare to spend the holidays at RMHC Toronto, it’s a relief knowing we can enjoy festive activities at the House. Kevin is immune compromised, so being in a safe environment where he doesn’t have to wear a face mask means a lot to me. We can watch our favourite holiday movie, The Grinch, in the media centre. Santa will be visiting, so the boys can tell him what they want this year. Most importantly, we can spend Christmas morning together as a family.

When you give the Gift of Nights, you’ll bring comfort to my family, and the 80 others, who will be celebrating the holidays at RMHC Toronto this year.

Being at RMHC Toronto again brought Kevin and Gabriel even closer than before. Gabriel understands Kevin better than anyone else, so he’ll do anything to make him feel better on his worst days. Gabriel is also Kevin’s stem cell donor, which means he’s literally saving his life.

I never thought I’d have a critically ill child, but it happened to me. I became a monthly donor to RMHC Toronto because I know firsthand how important my contributions are to families.

Your Gift of Nights is the most meaningful gift you could give this holiday season.

Thank you for keeping my family together

— Nikki Saenz