How 400 popsicles turned into 44,000 freezer pops donated to children fighting cancer
The Mighty Millie Popsicle Project is Millie’s family’s wish for the hospital freezers to always be stocked with organic popsicles. The popsicle project unknowingly started three weeks after Millie passed away when her dad, Nick Mracek, ordered 400 popsicles and had them delivered to the family room at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta Scottish Rite.
After a few months of stocking popsicles, there was an idea to send them to CHOA’s other childhood cancer hospital location, Egleston.
Millie endured many proton radiation treatments at Emory Proton Therapy Center. Waking up from sedation was always a challenge after the medication wore off. The Mighty Millie Foundation asked them if they would be willing to offer popsicles to their pediatric patients. They did not have a freezer for this purpose, so the organization provided one.
From there, it was realized there was a real need. The Mraceks started working to become a nonprofit.
Claire Mracek, Millie’s mom, wanted to provide a healthier freezer popsicle without all the dyes and sugar additives. Millie’s brother and neighbors taste tasted every organic popsicle available on the market and there was a clear winner, GoodPop Organic Freezer Pops! Not only did they taste great, but they could be stored at room temperature and have a long shelf life which is vital to providing popsicles around the country.
The original goal was to serve 10 childhood cancer hospital locations regionally from the initial 3 in Atlanta. This was done in 3 weeks. Everyone we talked to said yes! They would love to receive the in-kind donation and serve popsicles through nurses and child life professionals in the pediatric oncology, hematology, and oncology radiology units.
The boxes were packed on dining table and in the living room. This was a big job that grew faster than anyone would have expected. We quickly found an amazing warehouse partner in Kennesaw, GA. They are able to store the popsicle pallets in chilled warehouses and send them out efficiently to the hospitals when needed.
Fundraising for the project takes place by hosting popsicle stands at homes, businesses, birthdays, sporting events, parks, and anywhere a popsicle can be shared.
This has allowed for great growth of the project. The Mighty Millie Popsicle Project is now in 37 childhood cancer hospitals and treatment centers across the country and still expanding to new childhood cancer treatment centers.
The 400 popsicles have now turned into 44,000 small moments of big joy in honor of Mighty Millie.
Millie is still changing the world. We all wish she was here to do it with us in person. See the location map and total number of popsicles donated:
