After a flood of negative press over the eviction of a four-year-old cancer patient and his family for being unvaccinated, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) says it won’t back down on its vaccination policy..The Furgason family of four has been staying at the RMH Vancouver location since October while their four-year-old son Jack undergoes treatment for leukemia at the BC Children’s Hospital..On January 10, the family was given notice of RMH BC & Yukon’s decision to evict anyone from their houses nationwide who has not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19..Austin, Jack’s father, had his wife Lindsey, confronted the RMHC administration the following morning and filmed the discussion which they then posted on Facebook and it has since gone viral..The flurry of attention has caused a social media storm — some commenting on rumours RMHC had backed down from its vaccination policy requiring all those “working, visiting or staying at RMH BC & Yukon” to be fully vaccinated..“Caring for families with sick children in a safe environment has always been our top priority at Ronald McDonald Houses Charities. Throughout the pandemic, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon has had specific procedures and policies such as limiting visitors to the House, daily wellness checks, and physical distancing in place that are designed to ensure the highest level of safety for families, staff and volunteers within our communal living environment,” said company officials in a statement to the Western Standard..“On the recommendation of our local public health unit, the 14-member Board of Directors made the decision to mandate vaccinations for everyone working, visiting, or staying at RMH BC & Yukon to ensure we continue to meet the highest standards of health and safety and protect the vulnerable population of sick children we serve in congregate settings and limit the spread of COVID-19 and its variants..“We have informed all stakeholders of this decision including families, staff, and volunteers. Where residents request an exemption due to various circumstances, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon will review those case-by-case basis, and a decision will be made. All requests will be approved for exemption for child patients undergoing treatment, and therefore unable to be vaccinated. Ronald McDonald House will support any family in need of alternate accommodation if needed after the grace period. No family will ever be evicted from our House..“Our team has been in contact with the family in regards to this specific situation, and we are supporting arrangements for alternate accommodations.”.Although RMH BC indicated they are willing to work with the Furgason family to find them alternate accomodations, Austin told the Western Standard on Thursday he and his family were accepted at the Easter Seals House a short distance away from the RMH they are currently staying at..A GoFundMe page was started months ago by a friend of the Furgason family to help assist with expenses the family incurred for Jack’s cancer treatment..“A goal of $5,000 was set for the GoFundMe page and in three months it had hit $3,000,” Austin told the Western Standard..“But, after our video went viral, it jumped to over $80,000 in one day,” said Austin adding it was answer to prayer..The incredible media attention the story has garnered landed Austin on Fox News Wednesday evening and support for the family continues to pour in. The GoFundMe page now sits just shy of $164K..“At this point, all our needs are met, but we want to use that money to help others who are facing a similar situation,” said Austin..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
