Order a Dairy Queen Blizzard on Oct. 28, help out Phoenix Children's Hospital

Miracle Treat Day: Phoenix Children's Hospital raises money for patients

FOX 10's Bailey Miller reports.

PHOENIX - Oct. 28 marks Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen, which benefits kids at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

A dollar from each Blizzard goes towards the Hope Fund, which helps support the hospital's research, technology, therapy programs and more. The ice cream joint hopes to raise $100,000 this Thursday.

It helps patients like 18-year-old Yeira Hernandez, who has been in and out of Phoenix Children's Hospital since she was born.

"Whenever I come to the hospital I say I am in my second home," Hernandez said.

As a baby, she was diagnosed with an extremely rare GI disease known as congenital lymphedema. Simply put, her intestines do not work, which comes with a number of other complications.

"I don't really store any nutrients, meaning I have to [take] medication every day and causes other conditions which make me go to the hospital constantly," Hernandez said.

She has undergone dozens of surgeries and procedures at Phoenix Children's over the last 18 years, which is why a fundraiser like DQ's Miracle Treat Day is so important.

"The Hope Fund is a critical source of funding for the hospital, so it goes to technology, research and all of the things that make Phoenix Children's special," said Alissa Parten, corporate development officer for Phoenix Children's.

It funds the animal therapy programs, play rooms and more - all of the things that helped Yeira as a child.

As of today, her disease has no cure, and she is believed to be the only known case in the world.

However, she says that won't stop her from fighting.

"You only live life once, and you don't get a second chance, so live life to the fullest," she said.

For those who can't make it to their local Dairy Queen this Thursday, anyone can donate to the ice cream shop for the rest of the year.