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
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.