History - How It All Started

Jordin Jewel Cryderman

“One of God's angels who touched many lives during her 4 short years!”

In March 1994, Cindy and Alex Cryderman were thrilled to learn they were expecting their second child! In September, at a routine check-up, Cindy discovered that her baby's heart rate was three times lower than normal. Cindy was transferred to Chedoke McMaster University Hospital in Hamilton, where she spent several weeks while specialists monitored her baby. Alex and their son, Jacob "Jake", travelled to Hamilton to be with her. Having no family or friends in the Hamilton area, a social worker shared the good news that Alex and Jake could stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

Jordin Jewel Cryderman was born on December 6, 1994. In spite of her low heart rate, she thrived remarkably.

In the spring of 1995, ‘Jordy' was sent to SickKids Hospital to have a pacemaker implanted to help her heart beat normally. While the pacemaker managed her irregular heartbeat, doctors soon discovered an additional issue with one of her heart valves, which required close monitoring. During her hospital stay, the family spent their days at the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto.

Over the next four years, the problem with her heart valve worsened. Jordy was eventually placed on medication and scheduled for an assessment in Toronto in April 1999 to determine whether surgery was necessary. She never received that second chance; unexpectedly, she passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 10, 1999.

Jordin was deeply loved by her family and everyone who knew her. She returned that love constantly through her big, sparkling brown eyes, her never-ending happy smiles and giggles, and her warm hugs and kisses. She continues to live on in the hearts of many.

Alex, Cindy, and Jake Cryderman wanted to keep Jordin's name and memory alive in a positive way by supporting an organization that had given them so much - the Ronald McDonald House. A family friend, Tom Walker, called Alex and Cindy to offer his condolences, and in their conversation, they discussed doing something meaningful to honor Jordin's memory. From that discussion, the idea for a golf tournament was born.

Over the next few months, with the help of Jim McCauley, owner of the Thunder Bay McDonald's Restaurants, along with Kathy Bukovy and business owners such as Ron Marostica, Peter McCallum, and John Butuk, the Ronald McDonald House Jordin Jewel Cryderman Memorial Golf Tournament was created. The inaugural tournament was held on September 17, 1999, raising over $50,000! The tournament's success has continued annually, thanks to the support of numerous individuals and businesses.

Over the past 17 years, this tournament has raised over $1,000,000, all donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Many of the same businesses have sponsored the tournament since its inception, and hopefully, they will continue for many more years. The Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto serves a significant number of families from the Thunder Bay/Northwestern Ontario district, with an average of 20% of its residents coming from this region. The tournament has helped give back to the organization that provided invaluable support to families with sick children.

"RMH, we discovered, was truly a ‘home away from home.' It provided us with not having the financial burden of hotels and restaurants over a lengthy stay.  But more importantly, it provided understanding, compassion, and strength through the friendships we formed with other parents, who, like us, were facing their greatest fears - having a very sick child," said Cindy. "We are truly grateful for our beautiful, sweet Jordy! She is missed every day and will always be in our hearts. Her short four years were filled with meaning. Her memory and spirit will live on for eternity."