BC STORIES
How Enjoying an Ice Cream Treat Today Helps BC Children’s Hospital
Support BC Children’s Hospital on Miracle Treat Day as Dairy Queen donates Blizzard proceeds to fund pediatric care, medical research, and young patient support.
Langley Family Supports Annual DQ Fundraiser Following Daughter’s Leukemia Diagnosis
Three-year-old Lilah Rickson has spent the past 18 months undergoing chemotherapy treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukemia after her diagnosis in November 2024. Now on the maintenance phase of her treatment plan, the Langley City toddler visited her local Dairy Queen on Monday to try a cotton candy Blizzard—her first tasting of the pink and purple ice cream treat featuring freeze-dried candy.
Her father, Geoffrey Rickson, noted that ice cream is one of Lilah’s absolute favourite treats, though her ability to consume dairy has been limited during her medical care. Because she can enjoy the dessert provided she avoids dairy in the evening, Lilah, her five-year-old brother Riley, and her mother Holly are joining thousands of community members at a Langley City Dairy Queen on Thursday, Aug. 13 for Miracle Treat Day.
Proceeds Directly Fund Specialized Pediatric Care and Research
On Miracle Treat Day, net proceeds generated from every Blizzard sold at participating locations are donated directly to regional children’s hospital foundations. For local branches, funding goes directly to Vancouver’s BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, an institution the Rickson family credits as a vital lifeline during Lilah’s ongoing health journey.
Participating local restaurants contributed significantly to the cause last year, with regional Dairy Queen locations raising over $286,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation during the single-day event. Nationwide, Dairy Queen has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network since 1984, contributing more than $58 million across Canada to help support pediatric healthcare facilities that registered 3.9 million visits in 2025.
Local Restaurant Owners and Families Highlight Lifesaving Impact
Steven Wheelhouse, who owns four Dairy Queen franchises in Langley City, Willowbrook, Willoughby, and Walnut Grove, is marking his 26th Miracle Treat Day. He emphasized that the funds directly support essential care, specialized equipment, and research, noting he has seen the hospital’s crucial impact firsthand through friends and colleagues whose children received treatment there.
Geoffrey Rickson urged community members to support the initiative, whether by purchasing a Blizzard, buying annual lottery tickets, volunteering, or making direct donations. He explained that ongoing medical research supported by the foundation remains critical for children facing complex medical battles, providing families with vital hope for a disease-free future.