Dairy Queen Blizzards help raise funds for CHEO on Miracle Treat Day

a day ago

For 13-year-old Lu Oudhoff, a Dairy Queen Blizzard comes with a serving of hope.
'It's really great that we get to help them by eating ice cream, because ice cream is awesome,' said Lu.
Lu knows firsthand what CHEO can do for young people.
'I had a depressive episode, and I was suffering anxiety. CHEO sort of helped me through it and made it so that I wasn't feeling so alone.'
It's a feeling echoed by Lu's mom, Rose Spangers.
'For Lu to have been able to turn something that was really a very tough period for them into something that empowers them and helps them give something back to the hospital that has been such an amazing support for them throughout their mental health journey, that's been amazing,' Spangers said.
This year marks 41 years of partnership between Dairy Queen and the Children's Miracle Network, with more than $55 million raised for Canadian hospitals since 1984.
Miracle Treat Day
Ottawa Dairy Queen stores are supporting CHEO on Miracle Treat Day. Aug. 14, 2025.
'Every year, Miracle Treat Day is held across the country as part of Children's Miracle Network and Dairy Queen locations are kind enough to donate their net proceeds from Blizzard sales to the local children's hospital,' said Steve Read, CHEO Foundation president and CEO.
Supporting CHEO is something many in the community are proud to do.
'We work in construction, and we do this every year for the guys,' said DQ customer Donalda Tryon, who ordered 15 Blizzards for her crew. 'We do it at Camp Tay for Tim Hortons. We do it on McDonald's day as well, so it just helps out everyone.'
Miracle Treat Day
Proceeds from Dairy Queen Blizzards on Miracle Treat Day are donated to children's hospitals in Canada. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)
'I think CHEO, in our community, to have that level of care for kids, we're so fortunate to have so close by,' said DQ customer Rebecca Laginski.
This year, more than 660 Dairy Queen stores are supporting 13 children's hospital foundations across the country.
'This helps us give back to the community in the best way possible. To raise funds for the children, the future of our country. And raise money for all the Children's Miracle Network hospitals,' said Noman Hussain, Dairy Queen Eastern Ontario business consultant.
Miracle Treat Day
Supporting CHEO on Miracle Treat Day is as easy as buying a Dairy Queen Blizzard. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)
As for Lu, making a difference has never been so sweet.
'We literally just buy an ice cream and then bam, we're helping CHEO.'

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How farmers and government are trying to reduce avian flu risk in B.C.'s Fraser Valley

CTV News

22 minutes ago

CTV News

How farmers and government are trying to reduce avian flu risk in B.C.'s Fraser Valley

There will be new defense measures in the Fraser Valley this fall to try and prevent flocks from getting infected with avian flu. There will be new defence measures in place in B.C.'s Fraser Valley this fall to try and prevent poultry flocks from getting infected with avian flu. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has announced a $2.5-million program to help egg and poultry producers in the region. Funding through the Novel Tools and Technologies Program will allow dozens of farmers to install protective equipment on their properties. 'There's about $30,000 for 75 egg and poultry producers to add things into their barns like HEPA filters, to install ultra-violet light systems, before we get to the point of having avian influenza coming to the province in September,' said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, in an interview with CTV News. 'It's a really difficult disease to fight because it's like having an invisible enemy,' Popham said. In a statement, Kevin Klippenstein, chair of the B.C. Chicken Marketing Board and B.C. Poultry Emergency Operations Centre, said farmers, researchers and government worked together to find 'practical, science-based solutions to a complex disease challenge.' 'By investing in tools and technology that reduce the risk of avian influenza, we're helping ensure British Columbians can continue to count on a safe, sustainable supply of chicken, turkey and eggs, while also supporting the well-being of farmers who have been on the front lines of this battle for years,' he said. The virus has resulted in about 9 million birds being killed in B.C. since 2022. 'The anxiety about avian influenza is real and it does weigh on producers. Nobody wants to have to go through that,' said farmer Ray Nickel, who is also part of the B.C. Chicken Marketing Board. He lost 9,000 turkeys last year when his barn was infected with avian flu. It was the second time the virus had shown up at one of his farms, despite strict biosecurity measures. Brad Driediger of Windberry Farms in Abbotsford lost 60,000 birds after an avian flu infection last winter. 'Once it happens on your own farm, to go through that process is very difficult,' he said. He said through research and collaboration with the province, farmers and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, work has been done to try and lessen the impact of avian flu. Driediger said the group worked together to try and find solutions that could be implemented before this fall's migratory period. 'It was a priority of this working group to determine what could effectively be installed quickly,' said Driediger. His own farm has made changes to the ventilation system, using 'heat exchangers in conjunction with air filtration,' Driediger explained. 'We're evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of those technologies as they're implemented,' he added. 'To see if it's making a difference.' Driediger said he's 'very hopeful' the changes will do just that. Meanwhile, Nickel is using cooling pads in the barn as a means to filter air. 'I have filtration systems in those systems and so I can at least reduce the amount of dust and feathers that might come in through… the air intake,' he said. Dr. Martin Appelt of the CFIA said, 'The key element is really trying to avoid anything that creates a bridge between wild birds, their droppings and domestic poultry.' He said the CFIA had been working in the Fraser Valley, monitoring farms that suffered multiple outbreaks. The goal was to come up with a ranking of risks. He also said the CFIA is considering vaccination of birds. 'CFIA is working with the poultry industry at this point to start setting up a confined field trial to test some of the licensed vaccines in the Canadian context and to see how this could work for us,' Appelt explained.