It's been five months since Veronika McHugh and her three-year-old son Peter have slept at their home in Carleton Place. Little Peter is battling leukemia and cannot go home while it is being renovated.
"When we learned that he had cancer, he had leukemia our world shattered," said Veronika McHugh.
The McHugh family bought the 100-year-old log cabin five years ago and planned on renovating it one room at a time. But when Peter was diagnosed with cancer in July, the family moved out and into Ottawa's Ronald McDonald house. Peter is currently going through extensive rounds of invasive chemotherapy that require him to spend weeks at a time in hospital.
"His immune system is shot, so it's extremely important we keep the house tidy, clean and dust free," said Peter's father, Jay McHugh. "With an old home, 100-year-old home plus, it's hard."
Jay spends every week day with Peter, taking him to and from appointments. On the weekends, he works at the house around the clock.
"My motivation is that one moment when they walk in and see the house and their eyes light up," he said.
Family, friends and even some local businesses have stepped up efforts to help the family finish the house. Right now Jay has no idea how long it will take to complete the renovations, but he hopes the family can move back sometime next year.
"Our family is very close. It means a lot to us to do what we can and to help him out," said Jay's brother, Jordan McHugh.
The McHughs never asked for help, but say the generosity and support from the community has been overwhelming.
"When something like this happens you come to the realization that it's okay to say thank you and yes sometimes."
To find out more about the family or how to help you can contact Paige McCabe at the Ronald McDonald House by email at rmh.pmccabe@rogers.com.
