Shawn Mendes surprises Airdrie fan who missed concert to prepare for heart surgery
Though Kaley Biggar is a Shawn Mendes super-fan she wasn't able to attend his concert in Calgary on Monday.
Biggar, 14, is being treated for a life-threatening illness. She was diagnosed with a yeast infection in her blood seven weeks ago, and has been receiving aggressive antibiotic treatment to clear up the infection.
Further complicating matters, Biggar is being transferred to Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton next week. There, on July 11, she's scheduled to have open heart surgery and get a pacemaker she's had since childhood replaced.
Biggar was born with multiple, life-threatening birth defects and has had 44 surgeries. She was born with three holes in her heart and is 100 per cent feeding tube dependent.
Biggar's kidney function is declining as well, which makes the surgery even more necessary.
Kaley Biggar of Airdrie had tickets to see her idol Shawn Mendes play the Saddledome Monday, but can't go because of medical complications surrounding an upcoming open-heart surgery July 11Mendes' Calgary performance was supposed to be the teenager's first concert experience, but Biggar couldn't risk catching even a minor infection as she prepares for her heart surgery.
The teen was devestated that she had to miss the concert, but hours before he performed, Mendes surprised the Airdrie resident with a video call.
"She was so excited," said Vicky Biggar, Kaley's mom. "It definitely brought a little bit of light back into who she is."
When the moment came for the teen girl to see her idol on her iPad screen, it brought the family joy during an intensely stressful time.
In March, her father Brodie Biggar, 43, died at home after complications with COVID-19 and diabetes.
Listening to Mendes' music and watching videos of him performing was something that bonded him to his teen daughter.
Biggar repeated to CTV News on Tuesday what she told Mendes during their special call.
"I love you Shawn boy," she said.
Mendes sent Biggar an autographed hooded-sweatshirt that says "Kaley, I love you so much."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.