September 9, 2016
Mackenzie Elliott, 7, sports a cast she had set on her arm last July at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre. Tim Hortons supports the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation, through its Smile Cookie campaign, to help children like Mackenzie
Story by Kerri Robins; photo courtesy Nicole Strickland
In Drayton Valley, Sept. 12-18 promises to be a pretty sweet week for kids.
That’s when the local Tim Hortons franchise hosts its annual Smile Cookie campaign supporting the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation.
This is great news for kids like seven-year-old Mackenzie Elliott.
Mackenzie, her mom Nicole Strickland and her dad Mike Elliott found themselves at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre emergency room in July after Mackenzie fell off the swings and broke her wrist. She ended up being sedated to have her wrist bone reset and casted.
“It was terrifying for all of us,” says Strickland, adding the care Mackenzie received was outstanding. “Mackenzie needed an IV inserted to administer the medication to help put her to sleep, and it was really hard having to watch the procedure ─ but she was a trooper and I think it hurt me more than it hurt her.”
Children are treated differently than adults for many medical procedures and that’s why funds raised during Smile Cookie Week are helping with procedures similar to what Mackenzie required.
Funds raised this year will help purchase a Medfusion 3500 Syringe Pump with PharmGuard Medication Safety Software. The syringe pump allows accurate and regular dosing of small amounts of medications or other fluids vital to the safe care of children.
Electric, automated and programmable, the pump enhances safety by replacing older technologies lacking the “smart” features available in the new technologies.
“We’re excited about this new equipment because it’s a more versatile alternative to what we currently have available," says Lyle Grant, Area Manager, Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre. “Programmable, automated features are really beneficial because we can set the amount and timing of medications, reducing human error and providing more accurate measurements.”
Tim Hortons has hosted its Smile Cookie campaign since 1996 throughout Canada, and this is the fourth year the campaign has supported the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation, and raising more than $9,258 over the last three years for kids care at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre.
Cookies sell for a $1 each and the equipment is expected to cost about $4,000. Since the foundation’s partnership with Tim Hortons, past fundraising has helped purchase a pediatric crash cart and an IV fluid hotline warmer for pediatric emergencies.
Mark Havin, owner of the Tim Hortons franchise in Drayton Valley, says hosting the week-long event is fun and exciting as his store tries to beat records from years past.
“We sell about 2,200 to 3,000 cookies during Smile Cookie Week each year, and it’s comforting knowing that we’re supporting health care in our community, especially where there’s a need for the funds,” Havin says.
Foundation Chair Michelle Koebernick agrees.
“Our community is always ready to support their health care, and Smile Cookie Week is such a success where kids can really feel like they’re part of fundraising,” says Koebernick.
“I’m encouraged to see our community so involved in health care and applaud everyone who participates in this great cause.”
Smile Cookie Week happens all over the province with many participating health care foundations. View complete list.
As for MacKenzie, she started Grade 2 this year with no cast and her wrist has healed nicely.
Donations can be made at the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation or by visiting canadahelps.org/en/charities/drayton-valley-health-services-foundation.
