Ronald McDonald House Playroom

As many may know We are proud to have the naming rights to the brand new playroom at Ronald McDonald House Hamilton. However, although the room is currently named in memory of Keely we still have a lot of fundraising to do. Our goal is to raise $37,500.00. The playroom is a total cost of $75,000.00. We were asked by another Hill family (no relation) to go half with them on the playroom. Their daughters name is Kelsey Lana Hill and she was diagnosed with a brain tumor not long after Keely's diagnosis. We spent a lot of time together in the hospital. Kelsey lost her battle with cancer on December 13th 2011. Just 6 months after Keely passed and the day before Keelys birthday. We spent our time together in the hospital and now our 2 girls are spending their time together in heaven while both families come together and fundraise for these special girls.
To date we have had a few small but very overwhelming fundraisers and each and everyone of them were special and held with so much pride. A friend of mine turned 40 in February and out of the goodness of her very big heart she had a "Birthday For a Cause" and asked in lieu of gifts to make a donation on behalf of Keelys playroom. This was the start to our fundraising. So early on in our grief we got started on continuing our little girls legacy. Since then a school here on our reserve heard of our stories and wanted to help fundraiser and bring awareness to the students what the Ronald McDonald House does for families. They raised us over $2,000.00 to put toward the girls playroom. we have held 2 BBQ's this summer for Keely which have both done very well. Our community has shown us amazing support with this endeavor.
Our precious Keely was a happy, funny girl with a beautiful spirit. She made us laugh, she melted our hearts and in her short time here she made us proud. She has changed my life forever and I often think to myself how can I share and tell people my story of how this little girl impacted my life? How she made me see the sunshine through the rain? From Keelys initial diagnosis for a long time I never knew how I was going to pull it together to do my job as a mother to this special little girl. keely did this for me and she taught me lessons no speaking adult ever could. I always feel sad that the world can't experience what I've experienced and what I've learned about life and what's important. Then I realized it doesn't have to end here....I can continue Keelys gifts and her beautiful legacy. I had such a special gift shared with me and I will share her gifts for the rest of my life. If this helps one family then my job is done but I hope to help many families along the way.
On August 18, 2012 we will be holding Keelys first major fundraiser called 10K For Keely. It is a walk, run or bike your way for Keely. Not only is it in memory of our precious little girl but it is giving me a positive to work toward. Since June 30th last year I've felt nothing but grief and sadness. Don't get me wrong all of this is still there but it's gets me out of bed and working toward a positive goal all the while thinking of Keely. It's tough and I'm still a grieving exhausted mommy but just like before I'll do what needs to be done for our little girl.
Many have asked to make donations when they have heard our story and just as of today we now have a secure link to Keelys playroom :) anyone wishing to make a donation can go to the following link http://bit.ly/MAPF4P

"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have, it's about understanding she is exactly the person she is supposed to be. And that if your lucky, she just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be" - Joan Ryan

Love you Keely <3