As if we needed an excuse to get a sweet treat. Dairy Queen® is selling Miracle Balloons now!
Cool off this summer with a sweet cold treat and donate to Mercy Health Children’s Hospital while you’re at it! Now through July 25 you can purchase a Miracle Balloon at participating Dairy Queen locations to help kids treated at our hospital. Make sure to also mark your calendar for Miracle Treat Day happening on July 25.
When you purchase a paper balloon or a blizzard on Miracle Treat Day you are helping kids like Gunner! 
Gunner was born in September 2015 with a rare form of Dwarfism, he is the only person in the entire world with this type, it has never been recorded in the medial world. Since his genetic mutation has never been seen before there is no name for it so we simply just say he has an unknown form of Dwarfism. Gunner has had an extensive medical history since before he was born and it continues to grow every day. After birth, Gunner spent 2 months in the NICU working on getting stronger, developing his lungs, eating and also getting all the necessary preliminary testing done to further the process with a more specific diagnosis. Once released from the NICU Gunner came home on continuous oxygen, nasal-gastric tube, apnea monitor as well as a harness for his hips. Since then Gunner has overcome many challenges including surgeries, hospital stays and illnesses. Some of the other medical conditions Gunner has include a g-tube, total hip dysplasia (both sides), arthritis, mesocardia, mild hydrocephalus, chronic lung disease, kyphosis and scoliosis. We regularly see Mercy Children’s Pediatric Specialists for every part of his cute little self and we also make trips to Akron Children’s Hospital to see their Skeletal Dysplasia team. Gunner walks with a custom made walker that was given to him last Christmas by his great uncle Rob. He also attends PT, OT, and Speech 3 times a week at Total Rehab Pediatrics and is in the process of starting aquatic therapy. Gunner attends preschool and loves to make new friends and be the center of attention with his silly jokes and his bright personality. He has come so far and his future is beyond bright, we can’t wait to see where life takes him.
Dairy Queen has been a proud partner of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1984 and has raised more than $145 million for local children’s hospitals. Their support has brought joy and healing to kids treated in our hospital in numerous ways — donations have helped fund our Mercy Health Autism Clinic, Child Life Department and Hippotherapy Barn.
Guests visiting Northwest Ohio, Dairy Queen locations supporting Mercy Health Children’s Hospital can purchase a paper Miracle Balloon to publicly pledge support and receive $3 or $5 in discount coupons good for food or drink on their next visit.
The DQ system’s annual Miracle Balloon campaign caps off with Miracle Treat Day on July 25 where $1 or more from every Blizzard® Treat sold at participating DQ locations will benefit local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Ways to celebrate:
- Invite your friends and family to visit a participating Dairy Queen location to get your treat on!
- Donate to help kids like Gunner!
- Share your visit on social media using #MiracleTreatDay
What’s your favorite Blizzard® Treat? Tell us in the comments!