“When you give to JoeAnna’s house, you’re supporting a person or a family who is in a challenging, stressful, and often unexpected situation. Perhaps one of the most difficult times of their lives. You provided for us in the time of our greatest need a place that will forever be in our hearts – our home away from home.” – The Corbin Family

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 4 years since the small but eager Zander Corbin made his debut to the world. In true Zander fashion he arrived on his own terms—unexpectedly and six weeks early. Today he’s still eager to take things on early and wants to do everything that his Daddy does—camping, kayaking, building, smoking meat, gardening, you name it.

Now, when people meet a thriving Zander with a hearty appetite, they would never guess that at one point he was only 4lbs 9oz with a feeding tube.

Four years ago, Troy and Danielle were at home in Nelson preparing for their last Thanksgiving as a family of two when Danielle’s water broke unexpectedly at 34 weeks. Their local hospital was not equipped to care for babies less than 36 weeks, so Danielle was airlifted to KGH.

It was here at KGH that Troy and Danielle welcomed their first baby, Zander.

With such an early birth, he was transferred directly to the NICU where he would need to stay for several weeks. But Troy and Danielle needed somewhere to stay. The day after Zander’s arrival Danielle’s mother sent an email. Subject line; “JoeAnna’s House – NOT too shabby!!” They opened the email, saw the pictures, and assumed it would come with too hefty price tag.

That same afternoon a social worker from KGH came to visit the Corbin’s to let them know there was a room at JoeAnna’s House for them. When Danielle and Troy recall walking into JoeAnna’s House for the first time it’s hard for them not to get emotional.

“A volunteer smiled as she greeted us at the door, she said ‘We’ve been expecting you’. When we heard those words, it felt like a weight was lifted off our shoulders – a substantial amount of stress and anxiety relieved,” shares Danielle. “The accommodations were above and beyond what we were expecting. We felt privileged, secure, and a sense of comfort. They even had a thanksgiving dinner ready and waiting for us, brought in by a local donor.”

Zander stayed in the NICU for the first 24 days of his life so he could be constantly monitored. During his stay, Danielle and Troy learned how to do Zander’s feedings via a feeding tube, and Zander received the extensive care he need to thrive.

“Having a baby in the NICU is stressful, and the JoeAnna’s House team was always asking how little Zander was doing, celebrating the good things, and encouraging us through the challenges,” shares Danielle. “This place relieved a substantial amount of stress and anxiety. We still get emotional thinking about it. JoeAnna’s House made it possible for us to be a few minutes walk from what mattered to us most – caring for our little boy.”

Now, still an eager boy, a four-year-old Zander proudly took on the important role of big brother to Troy and Danielle’s second son, Titan. After Titan’s arrival, they found themselves reminiscing on their first baby’s experience in Kelowna. They began sharing more stories with Zander about his birth and JoeAnna’s House.

This summer the family took a trip to Kelowna and Troy insisted they go out of their way to show Zander the hospital where he was born, and of course JoeAnna’s House. It was a meaningful visit to all of them, and although Zander enjoyed hearing all the stories before, the trip gave him a newfound love for them.

“Zander was so excited to finally see this special place that Mommy and Daddy talk about so much,” Troy smiles. “He loved having his picture taken out front. Now the stories have finally come alive to him; we see it in his smile.”