Kelsey and I both grew up in Prince Edward County, Ontario. We reconnected after high school—me working construction, her at Tim Hortons—and a snowy first date sparked the beginning of a relationship that has weathered every storm since. When the military accepted my application, we moved to Cold Lake, Alberta, where I now serve as a Corporal and Avionics Systems Technician with 417 Search and Rescue Squadron. Kelsey works locally with the Commissionaires, supporting 4 Wing operations. Throughout my career, I’ve faced ongoing eye and vision issues that required specialist care in Edmonton. Valour Place has been there for us from the start—offering a safe, welcoming place to stay for appointments and surgeries that would otherwise mean costly hotels or long, exhausting drives. But nothing has compared to how much Valour Place has meant to us during this past year. Without a family doctor in Cold Lake, our high-risk pregnancy was transferred to Royal Alexandra Hospital. Our son was born 12 weeks early, requiring intensive NICU care. Valour Place became our home for weeks on end. The staff offered more than just a room—they gave us comfort, flexibility, and support during an incredibly emotional time. Being right down the road from our newborn, surrounded by people who understand, made all the difference. We are lucky to call this place home while we visit our boy in the NICU and watch him grown until we can go home. My favourite memory of Valour Place is forever changing. I love meeting all the different folks from all the surrounding areas and provinces and chatting with them. The feeling of being home with your family at Valour Place is an understatement. The staff make you feel at home, helping with anything you could ask for. Everyone who visits Valour Place is there for their own specific reason, but the common ground of having a safe roof over your head and maybe a common life experience really brings people together – that’s healing – and that’s my favourite. Valour Place has supported our family emotionally, mentally, and financially. We couldn’t have navigated this journey without it. Thank you to the incredible staff and supporters who keep Valour Place running—it has truly been our home away from home. -Dylan

Meet Tony, a brave veteran who’s been with us this year battling cancer and recovering from surgery and infection. Even through his health battles, Tony has been a beacon of positivity in our house. His contagious energy lifts everyone around him, and he’s left a lasting mark on many of our guests. 🏡❤️

Marcia and Brennan kindly sat down with us earlier this month to share their story and the impact Valour Place has on RCMP, military, first responders and their families. Valour Place is more than just a house—it’s a home-away-from-home for those who serve our country and communities during their most challenging times. Marci and Brennan’s story is a powerful reminder of how vital support and compassion are when facing life’s toughest battles.

When Samantha needed life-saving dialysis training in Edmonton, she only had one option. Being in a rural town, it wasn’t feasible for her to drive into the city three time each week for dialysis which meant she would instead have to attend a 6-week course in Edmonton to learn how to do dialysis at home. It was possible for her to get the training because she had somewhere to stay: Valour Place.

Kirsten and Cody stayed with us while they were expecting their baby girl, Amelie. We were grateful to be able to support them through the birth of their baby girl.

In December 2024, Carl received a life-saving heart transplant—a journey that brought him to Valour Place, where he spent many months healing. Recovering from a transplant is no small feat, but having a place to call home during the process makes all the difference In this interview, Carl shares his story—the challenges, the milestones, and what Valour Place has meant to him along the way. Because here, no one faces their journey alone.

The Singleton family, based in Cold Lake, is no stranger to Valour Place. Master Corporal Miles Singleton has served in the military for 14 years and is a strong advocate for Valour Place in the military community. Both of their children—Roric (8) and Reegan (6)—were born while the family stayed at Valour Place. They are proud to call them “Valour Babies.” Their longest stay was during the pregnancy with their first child, Roric. After experiencing two miscarriages, the pregnancy was considered high risk, and they needed to be close to specialists in Edmonton. Arriving a few weeks before the due date, they found themselves waiting—and building memories. During that time, they “adopted” an older gentleman and his sister who were also staying at Valour Place. Card games, shared stories, and laughter helped make the house feel like home. After Roric was born, he spent time in the NICU and was later diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease, which meant an extended stay and a return visit for surgery. When Reegan was born two years later, she also needed a NICU stay—and once again, Valour Place welcomed them with open arms. With both pregnancies being high risk, the emotional and logistical challenges were heavy—but Valour Place made it manageable. As Miles often says: “If it wasn’t for Valour Place, we wouldn’t have the two beautiful kids we have today.”

On November 26, 2016, RCMP Corporal Paul Glanville was outside his vehicle at a road closure in Northern Alberta when he was suddenly struck by a semi-truck that failed to stop in time. He was airlifted to Edmonton for emergency treatment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. RCMP officers often serve in remote communities with limited access to family or support services. Thankfully, Paul’s family was able to be by his side thanks to Valour Place. His wife and children stayed there through the holidays while he remained in hospital, spending Christmas surrounded by staff, volunteers, and fellow guests who provided comfort and encouragement. Valour Place lifted the emotional burden during one of the most challenging periods of his life. “It is so imperative for people to understand that we’re put into these isolated northern communities and don’t have access to amenities. If it wasn’t for Valour Place, just think of what my family would have had to go through. Families would be separated. People would deal with significant injuries on their own. Valour Place brings families together. It takes away the financial burden and the emotional burden when loved ones are nearby. It’s so significant.” -Paul After four months in hospital, Paul was transferred to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. On weekends, Valour Place’s van would pick him up and bring him to the house. Its fully accessible design gave him the independence to move freely and focus on healing. At the end of each visit, he’d be driven back to the hospital. Throughout 2017 and 2018, Paul returned to Valour Place for follow-up appointments. Then in 2021, after years of increasing pain, he made the difficult decision to amputate his leg. He stayed at Valour Place again while adjusting to his new prosthetic and learning to walk—progressing so well, he was discharged a week early. While staying at Valour Place, Paul’s family formed meaningful connections with others going through their own hardships. They still talk about the care and kindness shown by the staff. Paul calls Valour Place his first choice for “the best treatment.” Sadly, Paul’s wife Teresa lost her battle with cancer this year. To honour her memory and her gratitude for Valour Place, Paul chose it as the recipient of memorial donations. Their family’s connection to the house runs deep, and Paul continues to encourage others to lean on the support it offers: “Trust in these people and take that help.”

I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years and counting—first in the Navy, then the Army, and now with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Chief Warrant Officer. Through deployments, postings, and challenges, I’ve always relied on strength, structure, and support. But nothing could have fully prepared me for the personal battle I would face in 2023. In early 2023, my life took a turn. I was diagnosed with cartilage cancer in my left femur and underwent a complex limb salvage procedure to save my leg. What followed was an intense, four-month medical journey filled with uncertainty, pain, and long days of recovery at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. My partner Allison, our beautiful daughter Evie—who had just joined our family in January 2023—and Allison’s sister were by my side, staying off and on at Valour Place throughout my treatment. Near the end of my time at Glenrose, I was well enough to join them at the house. That experience meant more to me than I can express. I remember one day in particular—watching Allison and Evie playing together in the outdoor sandbox play area. Seeing them laugh, play, and just be a family brought a deep sense of comfort. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet warmth of Valour Place, I felt like I had my family back. A little normality in a far-from-normal situation. Valour Place isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a home. It gave us the space to be together, to reconnect, and to heal—physically and mentally. Being able to see my family in a setting that felt like home was a monumental game changer for my recovery and well-being. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making Valour Place possible—for families like mine, and for so many others walking difficult paths.- Clayton

In 2020, Lynn Beauchamp began experiencing severe and unexplained abdominal swelling. After a series of tests and scans, she and her family received devastating news—Lynn had cancer in her liver. Doctors told her that without a transplant, she had just 11 months to live. Time was critical. The average wait time for a liver transplant is a year, and Lynn’s petite frame could make finding a match even harder. The procedure would take place in Edmonton, far from Beauchamps’ home in Cold Lake. To recover safely, Lynn would need to remain in Edmonton for at least three months. “We can’t afford to do this. It’s too much to pay out to stay in Edmonton,” Lynn told her husband, André—a veteran with over 20 years of service. Like many, he had never heard of Valour Place. Thankfully, a coworker—also a veteran and a transplant recipient—told him about the house. That introduction was the lifeline they desperately needed. At 10 months post-diagnosis, the call finally came. On December 7th, while at work, André received a call from Lynn: she was being airlifted to Edmonton for her transplant. Everything moved quickly. André and Lynn’s sister, Carolle—who had recently moved from Gatineau to Cold Lake to help her sister—headed straight to Edmonton. They booked a hotel for a few nights, but soon after, a room became available at Valour Place, and they moved in on December 9th. While Lynn remained in the hospital, Carolle stayed at Valour Place alone for a week, making it her temporary home. “The house is very comfortable—like being home,” she shared. More than just a place to stay, she found support from both staff and other families facing similar journeys. “My favorite memory is the girls always being available when I needed someone to talk to.” Lynn’s recovery progressed so well that she was discharged a full week early. “The hospital bed they provided made such a difference,” Lynn recalled. It helped her rest comfortably and regain strength. Spending Christmas away from home is never easy, but Valour Place made it special. “The house was beautifully decorated, with a Christmas tree, gifts for all the guests, and even a turkey dinner with all the fixings,” Carolle remembered. It felt like home. For weeks, Lynn and Carolle settled into a comforting routine—attending doctor’s appointments and physio and resting in a place that offered peace and security. Lynn’s recovery went so smoothly that she was cleared to return to Cold Lake one month and one week ahead of schedule. Today, Lynn, André, and Carolle remain cherished part of the Valour family. Their story is a powerful reminder of why Valour Place exists—because every family facing a medical crisis deserves the dignity, comfort, and community of home.