Vancouver franchisee turns Lindsey's Cakes for Miracles™ into a North American fundraiser
BURLINGTON, ON, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Dairy Queen (DQ) Canada today launched the first annual Lindsey's Cakes for Miracles, two one-week fundraisers taking place from May 6-13, 2012 and June 10-17, 2012. During these two weeks, one dollar from every DQ Cake sold at participating Dairy Queens across Canada will be donated to Children's Miracle Network® to help raise funds for local children's hospitals across Canada.
The campaign is named Lindsey's Cakes for Miracles after Lindsey Lourenco's ongoing and courageous battle with cancer. Lindsey's father, Tony Lourenco, a Vancouver DQ franchise operator, started Lindsey's Cakes for Miracles in Vancouver three years ago after Tony's daughers (Lindsey & Sadie) came up with the idea to give back to the charity that has helped his family through tough times.
"My family was on the receiving end of the great work done by Children's Miracle Network, so I know how important these fundraisers can be for families with sick children", said Tony Lourenco. "We will forever be indebted to Children's Miracle Network and I am so happy that Dairy Queen is such a huge supporter of this non-profit organization."
Tony's daughter Lindsey felt unusually ill on a family vacation in Portugal and tests at a local hospital confirmed that she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia and required treatment immediately. Within 48 hours an air ambulance arrived in Portugal and Tony knew that her best chance of surviving was to get her back home to BC Children's Hospital.
Three years later, Lindsey's Cakes for Miracles idea has grown from a local Vancouver event to become a major Dairy Queen fundraising initiative across Canada and the United States. It is hoped that this year's cake sales will raise $250,000 for Children's Miracle Network in Canada.
"Fundraising events for Children's Miracle Network are synonymous with the Dairy Queen family," said Denise Hutton, VP Marketing Dairy Queen Canada. "When all of the Dairy Queen Canada franchisees learned about Lindsey's story they were immediately inspired and wanted to participate and support the Lourenco family."
"By purchasing a DQ Cake for Mother's Day and Father's Day you'll be helping children like Lindsey in your local Children's Miracle Network member hospital," said Paul Lethbridge, Senior Director, Corporate Development & Hospital Relations for Children's Miracle Network.
Dairy Queen Canada's Miracle Treat Day and associated fundraising activities have helped raise over $91 million since they began supporting Children's Miracle Network in 1984. This year marks the 10th anniversary for Miracle Treat Day in Canada which will be held on Thursday July 26th.
About Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network® raises funds for 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. These hospitals, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. When a donation is given, it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase specialized equipment, and ensure excellence in care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at ChildrensMiracleNetwork.ca.
About Dairy Queen Canada
Dairy Queen Canada is a wholly owned division of International Dairy Queen. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company controlled by Warren Buffet. In Canada, IDQ, develops, licenses and services a system of more than 570 Dairy Queen and 135 Orange Julius stores in Canada featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, soft serve, blended drinks made from oranges and other fruit flavours, along with various snack items. For more information, visit DairyQueen.ca
Video with caption: "Video: Tony and Lindsey Lourenco describe their relationship with the Children's Miracle Network and explain how funds raised by Dairy Queen Canada help support hospitals like BC Children's Hospital.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120507_C4651_VIDEO_EN_13178.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120507_C4651_PHOTO_EN_13178.jpg&clientName=Dairy%20Queen%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Tony%20and%20Lindsey%20Lourenco%20describe%20their%20relationship%20with%20the%20Children%27s%20Miracle%20Network%20and%20explain%20how%20funds%20raised%20by%20Dairy%20Queen%20Canada%20help%20support%20hospitals%20like%20BC%20Children%27s%20Hospital%2E&title=DAIRY%20QUEEN%20CANADA%20%2D%20A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20miracle%3A%20Every%20Dairy%20Queen%26%23174%3B%20Cake%20sold%20helps%20your%20local%20children%27s%20hospital&headline=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20miracle%3A%20Every%20Dairy%20Queen%26%23174%3B%20Cake%20sold%20helps%20your%20local%20children%27s%20hospital
Alanna Banks, Media Profile
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