Hospital at Home: Rhett’s Story
Hospital at Home provides in-home treatment and care for children with cancers and blood and immunology disorders. It makes this difficult time easier for kids like Rhett, and their families, by minimizing daily trips to the hospital.
For four-year-old Rhett, being able to hold one of his siblings’ hands while undergoing chemotherapy in his cozy spot at home made the experience a little bit easier.
In the summer of 2023, Rhett was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, with a mass in his bladder, which marked the start of a long journey. In the days that followed, doctors laid out a roadmap of his treatment, including 42 weeks of chemotherapy and several weeks of a special type of radiation only available in the U.S. 
After travelling to Florida for that treatment and spending more than two months away from their other children and their home, parents Kristin and Drew recall the relief they felt when they returned to Calgary and learned Rhett could receive some of his treatments through Hospital at Home.
Sitting in his favourite seat in the living room — his safe place – Rhett felt much more comfortable with his nurses visiting him, says Kristin. And for the rest of the family, being able to be together through this journey has been incredibly meaningful.
Where Your Money Goes
Patient and Family-Centred Care
In addition to providing the best treatments possible for injuries and illnesses, specialists at the Alberta Children’s Hospital also work hard to care for kids’ spirits.
Where Your Money Goes
Having a sick child often comes with countless emotions and challenges, among them, multiple doctors’ appointments and days spent in hospital.
Hospital at Home provides in-home treatment and care for children and teens diagnosed with various cancers and blood and immunology disorders. It makes this difficult time easier for kids and their families by minimizing daily trips to the hospital, which often require childcare or time off work.
Thanks to generous donors like you, over the past year, capacity in this amazing program has increased: Hospital at Home now has two nurses available Monday to Friday and one on Saturday and Sunday, offering additional appointments and increased capacity to meet kids in the comfort of their own home.
The program was gifted a new vehicle from Northstar Ford to accommodate the extra staff, making it possible to offer double the shifts each weekday.
With your support, Hospital at Home reduces stress and increases quality of life for more patients and their families than ever before.
By the Numbers: Hospital at Home (in 2023/24)
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