Easter Seals House is a home-away-from-home for more than 175 Yukon families travelling to Vancouver for medical treatment throughout the year.

For 10-year-old Callum Heney of Whitehorse and his family, it’s been an important place to stay while he undergoes treatment for epilepsy.

A couple times a year, Callum and his mother, Marusia, and sometimes his twin sister and younger brother, make the 2,400-kilometre trek by plane to meet with neurologists and specialists at BC Children’s Hospital.

“We’ve been here with Callum and his siblings, and when Callum has appointments at BC Children’s Hospital, it’s just two blocks away, which is really handy,” Marusia said recently.

“Sometimes the waiting time between appointments can be four to five hours, so having Easter Seals House close by allows us to have a place to come to and allows Callum to have the naps he needs.”

The medication Callum is on currently makes him sleep more than 12 hours a day.

That makes it extremely difficult to not have him nap between appointments.

While the boy is sleeping, his siblings can take advantage of the lounges on each floor, which have televisions and fully-equipped kitchens.

Easter Seals House has 49 individual double occupancy suites with a full kitchen, similar to an apartment in the city

Families like to stay at the House because it also gives them autonomy they may be looking for.

They can cook on their own if they have compromised immune systems or special dietary needs. It’s designed to be homey and inviting.

“It would be a totally different experience for us if we were staying in a hotel,” Marusia said.

“Every time we meet a family, we’ve connected with them. We see them around town now and are able to connect with families that are going through a similar situation as us.

“It’s a wonderful place, and we’re very grateful it’s there.”

Easter Seals House is open 365 days a year.

During the holiday season at this time of year, it’s home to families who can’t go home.

Operated by the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, a registered charity, the House fundraises to keep fees low for families in need.

Yukoners can support Easter Seals House during its Light Up The House holiday campaign at www.lightupthehouse.ca.

Since 1955, families from all over B.C. and the Yukon have stayed at Easter Seals House while their child or loved one receives care and treatment at nearby medical facilities.

The facility is located just blocks away from Vancouver’s best hospitals and treatment centres.

Its features two recreational lounges, a children’s play room, onsite laundry, WIFI, an outdoor garden, 24/7 front desk service, Snack Shoppe, underground parking, and housekeeping services.