Joplin, MO. – After being shown a dizzying array of flavorful toppings for his customized Dairy Queen Blizzard®, a smiling Sebastian Green asked if he could have them all in one cup.
In the end, the 7-year-old settled on a chocolate brownie extreme-flavored Blizzard. He helped prepare and mix the iconic ice-cold treat before doing the famed “upside down dunk” to test its thickness.
Instead of eating it right away, however, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Freeman Health System kiddo gifted the Blizzard to his grandmother, Lori Wood — or “Ga,” as he affectionally calls her. He watched, thrilled, as she took the first big bite from his Blizzard.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Freeman Health System officials choose a child for Miracle Treat Day that they know will represent CMN well. Green handing his Blizzard over to his beloved Ga had everyone inside the 32nd Street Dairy Queen smiling.
“Sebastian is an amazing kid, and I think that just shows his attitude right there that he’s always thinking about others,” said Izzy Medrano, Freeman’s Family Relations & Development Coordinator.
Monday morning’s fun ritual demonstrates how something as tasty as a Blizzard can help children and their families receive the best medical care possible, thanks to the ongoing partnership between Dairy Queen and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, in which Freeman is the only CMN Hospital found in a 70-mile radius.
During Miracle Treat Day this Thursday, July 31, $1 from every purchased Blizzard from the Joplin location and other local DQ restaurant locations – Webb City, Seneca, Lamar, and Nevada in Missouri and Galena, Pittsburg, Fort Scott, and Iola in Kansas – will be donated to Freeman.
Last year, $12,000-plus was raised by local and regional DQ restaurants. These donations provide vital funding for life-saving treatments and essential services for children in need, said Laura Gullett, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program Coordinator at Freeman.
“We are grateful for the partnership we have with Dairy Queen here at Freeman Health System,” she said. “Their continued support allows us to provide local kids with lifesaving medical equipment, prescriptions, and to travel to specialists across the country.”
Green was diagnosed with Autism in 2021 at less than 3 years of age. When the Granby, Missouri native was diagnosed, he started having seizures and was in the ninetieth percentile for height and weight, which required him to have a specialty car seat that Children’s Miracle Network provided, Medrano said. Since then, he has made a lot of progress with his behavior and communication, with CMN assisting with travel to specialty appointments, a seizure monitor, and a cubby bed to ensure safe sleeping.
On July 31, Joplin DQ General Manager Debbie Schacht said they will make 500-plus Blizzards. About 200 Blizzards are sold during a normal summer day.
Overall, CMN provides assistance to children from birth to 21 years of age in a 14-county area that includes Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. CMN helps furnish and maintain Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, provides funding for local community organizations’ pediatric needs and provides pediatric emergency equipment for area agencies.
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com
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