SickKids kid gives back through role at Dairy Queen
It is a day Jake looks forward to taking part in each year: Miracle Treat Day. For Jake, a Dairy Queen employee in Alliston, Ontario, Miracle Treat Day is an opportunity to bring together the Alliston community to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network and SickKids. Why is this important to him? Because not only is Jake a Dairy Queen employee passionate about supporting children’s hospitals, he is also a SickKids kid.In 2009, Jake developed a lump on his neck. At first it was thought to be an injury from rough-housing with his cousin. But after visiting a number of doctors and undergoing a number of tests, Jake was diagnosed on December 1 with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He started treatment the next day.
“We’ve never had a SickKids patient come and work with my team on Miracle Treat Day before,” said Alliston franchise owner, Joanne. “He stayed over eight hours helping out … he wouldn’t even take a break because he was so thrilled to be part of the day.”
“I remember my first Miracle Treat Day being a really neat experience,” said Jake. “I got to make so many blizzards. There was so much publicity too. I was on TV and in the newspaper … it was really cool.”
Joanne recalls asking him at the end of the day how he felt about his first Miracle Treat Day experience. “He told me he loved it,” Joanne said, then laughs as she continues, “And then he went on to say that, when he turned fifteen, he was going to get a job here because ‘all the girls love me!’”
"Miracle Treat Day is a day where the community comes together to support children’s hospitals."
Jake kept his word on working at Dairy Queen when he turned fifteen. After supporting Miracle Treat Day for a few more years as a SickKids ambassador, in 2015 he worked his first Miracle Treat Day as an employee.
“Jake is a survivor with a heart of gold,” said Joanne. “His only request ever is to work all day on Miracle Treat Day and to ensure that the pay he typically receives for his hours worked is donated to SickKids instead.”
Having the chance to work for a company that gives back to a cause that is so near to Jake’s heart means a lot to him.
“I was treated at SickKids until March 2013 and have been cancer free ever since,” said Jake. “But I remember my time very clearly in hospital. As a kid, it’s hard. Kids shouldn’t have to go through and experience what I went through and what other kids at SickKids have gone through. Being able to raise funds through Miracle Treat Day … to have the community come out and support children’s hospitals on this day … it’s important because one day, you or someone you care about may need that hospital.”
SickKids changed Jake’s life. It gave him a second chance. And it also shaped his perspective on what his future will be like.
“I had to grow up a lot and work my way through a lot while being treated at SickKids,” said Jake. “Since my cancer diagnosis and treatment, the experiences I had while at SickKids, the staff I met … all of it influenced me in what I want to pursue when I get older – to be a doctor working at SickKids.”
On Thursday, August 10, Dairy Queen locations across Canada will once again be raising funds in support of Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. If you live in the Alliston area, Jake would love to see you come by his Dairy Queen location (2 King Street South) to support SickKids.
“Miracle Treat Day is a day where the community comes together to support children’s hospitals,” said Jake. “I want to help in whatever way I can so that kids can still be kids. I hope others will too.”
