Every Blizzard purchased at Dairy Queen on Miracle Treat Day helped support children in need.
On Miracle Treat Day, which was Thursday, proceeds from every Blizzard sold go towards the Children’s Miracle Network, which is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals.
The Haggas family, of Red Deer, has a special connection to the network, which has 12 hospitals across Canada, including the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and Alberta’s Children Hospital in Calgary.
In February 2020, Meghan Haggas was diagnosed with high-risk leukaemia when she was six years old.
“Meghan was in kindergarten, ballet and soccer – she was really active,” said Sue Haggas, Meghan’s mother.
“One day she had a cold and we thought nothing of it. She was on antibiotics. But eventually she got a nosebleed, so we brought her to the Red Deer hospital to get checked out and the blood tests showed she had cancer.”
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An ambulance was called that day and Meghan was brought to Alberta’s Children Hospital.
“With the child life program there, they help explain the procedures to the kids. They do it through play therapy and … that’s what’s helped Meghan get through it,” said Sue.
Meghan’s treatment lasted two-and-a-half years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every weekend we would be in Calgary. It was a lot of back and forth,” she said.
“It was during COVID, so the nurses and staff at the children’s hospital were our family. That’s we saw for two years.”
Now eight years old, Meghan’s cancer is in remission. She will continue to travel to Calgary once every two months for the next four years to get bloodwork done to monitor how she is doing.
On Thursday, Meghan and her brother Ryan got a special treat at the downtown Red Deer Dairy Queen. The two were able to make Blizzards for themselves and their parents.
“Events like Miracle Treat Day, where the community can come out to show their support … and the money goes to local hospitals, are fantastic,” said Sue.
Meghan starts Grade 3 in September and Ryan is heading into Grade 6.
Drew Hamill, co-owner and general manager of Dairy Queen, said Miracle Treat Day is an exciting time of the year.
“Miracle Treat Day is kind of the culmination of a year’s worth of fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network,” said Hamill.
Red Deer’s Dairy Queen locations have already sold 40,000 paper balloons throughout the year to hang on the restaurant walls, which require a minimum $1 donation. Hamill estimated $60,000 had already been raised leading into Miracle Treat Day – a final dollar total will be available Friday.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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