Девятилетняя жительница Айдриса, перенесшая операцию по удалению редкого рака, делится историей выздоровления перед Днем чуда

An Airdrie teen who underwent an 11-hour operation for a rare cancer is sharing how hospital staff and volunteers helped her through recovery ahead of Miracle Treat Day on Thursday. Related Stories: - Mountain View County ranchers honoured for Dogpound Creek conservation - Her Voice: Airdrie peace officer says enforcement is about more than tickets - Paused Rocky View recreation projects estimated at $111M had no final construction approval “Everyone that was caring for me listened to what I had to say, and they wanted to make sure I felt comfortable and safe,” said 14-year-old June Roessler. Today, June plays flag football and clarinet, spends time with friends and loves being outdoors. She hopes to try tackle football next year. She still has a small holiday box she made while recovering at Alberta Children’s Hospital. From foot pain to an 11-hour operation June’s experience began in October 2023 with pain in her left foot. According to background information provided by Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, her family doctor referred her to the hospital’s orthopedic clinic, where an MRI and CT scan led a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to discover a lump. The lump was removed and later identified as synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting soft tissues. The foundation said June then underwent an MRI of her chest to determine whether the cancer had spread. It was found to be localized to her foot. June and her parents met with an orthopedic surgeon, plastic surgeons and a pediatric oncologist to plan further surgery. About a month later, June underwent an 11-hour operation to remove cancerous tissue and reconstruct her foot. A skin graft was taken from her right thigh to rebuild her foot. While recovering, June said one nurse stood out. “Every time she would come into my room, I instantly knew my day would be much better,” June said. The nurse checked on her and sometimes made her special drinks. During her stay, June went to a craft room with other children. “We made these little holiday boxes,” June said. “I still have the box to this day.” ‘Little slices of joy’ June’s mother, Katrina, said her daughter could not get out of bed for the first four to five days they were in hospital. It was December. June was in pain while Christmas activities were happening outside the hospital. Katrina recalled gaming machines that could be rolled into children’s rooms. “As much as her health mattered, so did her mental health,” she said. Katrina described the activities available to June as “little slices of joy in her day.” “And they would lift her up.” After June’s 11-hour operation, Katrina’s husband, Brad, went home to be with their other daughter while Katrina stayed at the hospital. She returned to the room where she had last spoken with staff and sat by herself. By then, she said, the lights had largely been shut off. One of June’s surgeons was heading home after the operation. “He had his lunch kit in his hand and everything else, and he saw me sitting in the waiting room by myself,” Katrina said. The surgeon stopped and sat with her. “He came in and sat with me and chatted with me and just reassured me how well the surgery went and everything,” she said. “And he stayed with me until they came and got me to go see June, so I didn’t have to be by myself.” Back to school — and onto the football field A month after the operation, June was back at school on crutches, according to the foundation. She continues to have oncology followups and scans roughly every four months. “June’s doing really well,” Katrina said. Katrina said June has been rebuilding muscle mass during her recovery and has returned to activities such as football. June started playing flag football this past year. “I’m hoping to start tackle football next year,” she said. She also plays clarinet in her school band. “I really enjoy that,” June said. “I love hanging out with friends, and I love being outdoors.” Miracle Treat Day returns Thursday All three Airdrie Dairy Queen locations will participate in Miracle Treat Day on Aug. 13. They are located at 105 Edmonton Trail S.E., 401 Coopers Blvd. S.W., Unit 702, and 1700 Market St., Bay 101. According to information provided by Media Profile on behalf of DQ Canada, net proceeds from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating locations will support Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Media Profile said the three Airdrie stores made a combined $16,000 donation to Alberta Children’s Hospital last year. It said the total consisted essentially of Miracle Treat Day funds, with money from other Children’s Miracle Network initiatives described as minimal. Arlin Gunderson, business consultant for Dairy Queen Canada for Central Alberta, also lives in Airdrie. He confirmed all three local stores are participating this year. Gunderson said the local response makes him proud. “It just makes me very happy and proud that they come out to support this,” he said. Gunderson said customers can also round up their bills or purchase Miracle Balloons, with those funds going to Alberta Children’s Hospital. Miracle Treat Day is marking its 24th year, according to DQ Canada. Separately, DQ Canada said it and its franchisees have supported children’s health initiatives in Canada since 1984. Nearly $58 million has been raised through Miracle Treat Day and other year-round fundraising initiatives in Canada, according to the company. “You just never know if someone you love will ever be the recipient of the benefits,” Katrina said. For someone stopping for a treat Thursday, she described the impact as “so much bigger than just a blizzard.” June’s life still includes oncology appointments and regular scans. It also includes friends, clarinet and flag football. And next year, she hopes tackle football will be part of it too. Listen live to Air 106.1 FM for local news, weather, traffic and community updates throughout the day. Stream us anytime through the DiscoverAirdrie app or online.