Jocelyn Kerr, third from the left, was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. She and her family spent 172 days at Ronald McDonald House during her treatment at BC Children’s Hospital. From left is Geoff Heppner, Carlene Heppner and on the right is Jocelyn’s sister Mackenzie Kerr. This was taken during a celebration for St. Patrick’s Day in 2021.Ronald McDonald House photo
Prince George Citizen – Christine Dalgleish – February 21 2025
Getting the worst news parents can hear, a Prince George family stayed at Ronald McDonald House for 172 days in 2021 when their child was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkins lymphoma.
A blended family of six, the Kerr and Heppner families came together to create the ‘Kerpners’.
It’s well past their time of crisis and daughter Jocelyn Kerr is in her third year of ‘no detection of disease’, as they say, as people are only designated cancer free after the five-year mark.
Mom Carlene Heppner said they are hopeful even though with Hodgkins there is a high risk of recurrence.
“We got the diagnosis on December 31 and by January 4 we were down there and the first week was a whirlwind,” Heppner recalled. “They were great but it was a lot. They checked us in and of course it was during Covid and we didn’t know if we were there for a week or what. Until she was assessed at BC Children’s Hospital no one had an answer. You just don’t know so we packed for two weeks and then we were down there for almost nine months.”
Taking us back to when the family was in the middle of this health crisis, Heppner got emotional recalling how amazing the support was at Ronald McDonald House (RMH).
“You don’t know you need it until you need it and it’s the best place to be in the worst situation,” Heppner explained.
“Being among all the other people going through the same thing and going down to the community kitchen and eating with other people and talking to parents going through the same experience – that made the biggest difference because otherwise you’d think you were alone. You’d think you were the only one going through this and I imagine if you were going through this alone you could get really depressed but when you are down there and you see kids recovering and getting better it gives you hope. And the most important part of being at Ronald McDonald House is that sense of community and knowing you’re not alone because cancer can be a lonely battle.”
Heppner said the programs they have in place at RMH were very helpful. There is an art room and a music room at the house and both were therapeutic for Jocelyn during her stay.
Fast forwarding to the present sees Jocelyn graduating in May as a certified sign language interpreter, having gone back to school right after her treatment, Heppner added.
“We’re so proud of her,” Heppner said.
Jocelyn’s ultimate goal is to be an elementary school teacher at the BC School for the Deaf in Burnaby so she will continue her education to attain that goal.
“Jocelyn is a fighter – she’s a redhead – so you know,” Heppner laughed.
As Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon launches its latest fundraiser called the Fort a Thon, Heppner is asking the Prince George community to help fundraise for this very good cause as every year the charity provides a home away from home for up to 2,000 families from more than 200 communities, including 24 percent from Northern BC.
Visit Ronald McDonald House for fundraisers near you and to learn more about their amazing services https://www.rmhccanada.ca/fundraisers
