Mackenzie Queen, going into her Grade 11 year at John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph, spent last summer recovering from a successful heart transplant.
But the determined student is planning another summer accomplishment. She has been training with her coaches to represent Canada in the 17th annual World Transplant Games, in Brisbane, Australia from Aug. 22 to 30.
Queen said the reason the opportunity means a lot to her is, “I have been given the gift of life and in return I feel that I would be giving back to those who have helped and supported me through my journey.”
She will be competing in the 5km and 20km bike race and ball throw. The cost of the involvement to her and to her family is enormous.
Throughout July, Leah Youngblut and her Village Sweet Shop on Main Street in Rockwood will be giving profits from the sales of Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream to Queen’s journey.
Youngblut has planned a sidewalk fundraiser at her candy store and for Mackenzie herself to help scoop ice cream this Saturday from noon to 2pm. They are hoping for a great sunny summer afternoon where balloons will be flying, a bluegrass band playing and people will being enjoying a scoop or two.
Other donations given during the event will be directly going to Queen and her family, who are hoping to accompany each other for the competition.
For directions and regular store hours visit www.thevillagesweetshop.ca
