The Rosevear Family - Dunedin
For Jordy and Ryan Rosevear, family has always been the centre of everything. Based in Dunedin with their 19-month-old son Edmund (affectionately known as Eddy) and their beloved dog Ida, the Rosevear's live a life grounded in nature, connection, and community. Their home sits near Ross Creek and the Balmacewen golf course, where the outdoors is always close by and fresh air is part of their everyday routine.
“We love getting outside, engaging in sport and physical activity,” Jordy says. “We enjoy spending time with our families and friends. Family means everything to us.” It’s a simple life filled with the kind of moments parents dream of - a toddler discovering the world, weekend walks, laughter shared with loved ones, and the comfort of knowing they are surrounded by support. But in an instant, that familiar sense of certainty changed.
It began during what should have been a routine follow-up appointment at Dunedin Hospital. Edmund was there to have a birthmark on his leg reviewed by a paediatric registrar. But during the appointment, the registrar noticed something unexpected - an enlarged lump in Edmund’s tummy. “That was the first time anyone had picked up on it,” Jordy says. The next day, Edmund underwent an ultrasound and X-ray. Shortly after, Jordy and Ryan received news no parent is ever prepared for. 
Edmund was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms tumours - cancer in both of his kidneys. “The symptoms were so silent,” Jordy explains, “the only real sign was an enlarged tummy for his age, and some mild bruising.” The diagnosis was devastating. Their healthy, happy little boy - still a baby in so many ways - suddenly had a future filled with uncertainty, appointments, treatment plans and hospital corridors. “I’ll never forget those words when the consultant tells you your child has cancer,” Jordy says. “That heavy, numbing feeling surrounds you. Your whole world is completely turned upside down in an instant.”
Like so many families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, Jordy and Ryan were thrown into a new world overnight, one filled with unfamiliar medical language and impossible decisions. “At first, the unknowns felt so scary and overwhelming,” Jordy says, “you don’t know what is ahead or how to handle everything.”
Edmund’s treatment began quickly. His initial plan involved 12 weeks of chemotherapy, a challenging and emotional experience for the entire family. For Jordy and Ryan, the stress wasn’t only in watching their toddler endure treatment - it was also in the constant vigilance required to keep him safe. “Navigating risks of infection has been stressful,” Jordy says.
Every cough, every fever, every change in behaviour carries weight when your child is immunocompromised. Like many families in the thick of cancer treatment, they learned to live in a constant state of alertness, doing everything possible to protect their son. The hope is that chemotherapy will shrink the tumours enough to allow surgeons to remove them while saving Edmund’s kidneys - particularly his more affected kidney, which has five tumours. “The goal of chemo is to shrink all the tumours enough to save his kidneys,” Jordy says, “especially his more affected kidney.”
Soon, the Rosevear's will travel to Christchurch, where Edmund will undergo further testing and surgery to remove the tumours. After surgery, more treatment is expected - including additional chemotherapy - with many details still unknown. “Following surgery, we’ve been told he will require more chemo and treatment,” Jordy says, “there are still many unknowns at this stage.”
In the middle of that uncertainty, one thing has offered the Rosevear family stability and comfort: Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand. When Jordy and Ryan first arrived at Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch, they immediately felt the warmth that so many families describe. “We will never forget the kindness by staff when we arrived for the first time at RMHC,” Jordy says, “it meant so much to know the accommodation, amenities and food were largely taken care of.”
With so much of their energy going into supporting Edmund, RMHC removed the burden of daily logistics, allowing Jordy and Ryan to focus on what mattered most: their son. “It meant we could simply put all our energy and focus into taking care of Edmund,” Jordy says. “it reduced the stress and worry about everything else.”
Being so close to the hospital made a huge difference too - not just practically, but emotionally. The ability to get to the hospital quickly brought reassurance during a time where everything felt unpredictable. “The close proximity to the hospital gave us reassurance that we could get there quickly if required,” Jordy says.
For Edmund, Ronald McDonald House was also a place where he could still be a child. Between treatment and appointments, he found joy in the play areas and outdoor spaces - and for Jordy and Ryan, seeing their little boy smile again made everything feel a little lighter. “Edmund loved the play areas and outdoor space,” Jordy says, “seeing him happy between treatment just meant the world.”
Perhaps most importantly, Ronald McDonald House offered the Rosevear’s something that can be hard to find in the hardest times: connection. “RMHC is a place of strength and connection with other families going through hardship as well,” Jordy says, “you’re surrounded by others, and you feel you aren’t alone on your journey.” For a family far from home, facing a battle they never expected, that sense of community has been powerful.
When asked what they would have done without RMHC, Jordy is honest. “We simply don’t know,” she says, “perhaps staying with cousins or wider family, but having a base in Christchurch so close to the hospital, and with all the amenities provided, was simply the best. We’re incredibly grateful.”
As they prepare for the next stage - MRI scans, surgery, and further treatment - the Rosevear's continue to hold onto hope, surrounded by the love of their Dunedin community and strengthened by the support of those walking beside them. Their journey is not yet finished, but one thing remains clear: they are facing it together - as a family.
And for Jordy and Ryan, that means everything.