Cheering for the Cougars, Canucks and for life, two-year-old Mavrik’s cancer battle update

Source: Prince George Daily News

While most two-year-olds live care-free, delighting in playtime and toy-filled adventures, Mavrik from Prince George, has been overcoming challenges far greater than most could imagine. Diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma just after his second birthday, Mavrik’s resilience and spirit have touched everyone at BC Children’s Hospital, where he’s been receiving life-saving treatments since October 2024.

It started with what seemed like minor symptoms: fatigue, loss of appetite, and a small bump on Mavrik’s belly. But an ultrasound revealed something far more serious, and Mavrik was quickly med-evaced to BC Children’s Hospital. Within days, he underwent multiple scans, a biopsy, and began chemotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma.

The tumor—larger than his head—had wrapped around major arteries, his gallbladder, and kidney, and was pressing against his spine. Despite the complexity, Mavrik endured seven rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, tumour reduction surgery and 12 days of radiation therapy. Thanks to his treatment and the dedicated care team, his tumor has shrunk by an astonishing 98%. He recently began immunotherapy.

Mavrik has spent over six months as an inpatient since his diagnosis last October, but his spark has never faded. Known on the unit as “the hockey kid,” this passionate hockey fan often plays hallway hockey in his jersey, even during treatment. His love for the game has led to unforgettable moments, like meeting NHL star Brock Boeser and doing the ceremonial puck drop at a WHL game.

“Nothing fazes him. He just keeps going,” says his dad, Derek. “The care and kindness of the staff at BC Children’s has made the hospital feel like a second home.”

The Dream Lottery supports groundbreaking research initiatives at BC Children’s Hospital, where over 2,000 dedicated research professionals are pushing the limits of what’s possible in children’s health care. Funds from the lottery expedite the transformation of innovative ideas into life-saving treatments—ultimately helping more kids like Mavrik get back to being kids.

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Dream Lottery ticket sales are on sale now until midnight on October 10, 2025, or until tickets sell out. The Dream Lottery supports groundbreaking research initiatives at BC Children’s Hospital, where over 2,000 research professionals strive to redefine the future of pediatric care. Funds from the lottery help transform innovative ideas into life-saving treatments, helping more kids get back to being kids.

“Funds raised from our annual Dream Lottery support life-changing research taking place at BC Children’s Hospital,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “As the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to children—and one of the world’s top pediatric hospitals—BC Children’s is tackling the most complex illnesses facing kids today. With donor support, expert teams are making significant leaps in critical areas like brain health, oncology, clinical trials and more. Each ticket purchased helps turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs—creating brighter futures for children and families across the province.”

The winner of the 2025 Dream Lottery can choose one of 11 Grand Prize dream packages:

Dream Grand Prize #1 – South Surrey: Located at 13156 19A Avenue and worth over $3 million, this 4,385 sq. ft. home features five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and a double garage. The prize package also includes a 2025 KIA EV9 or $57,000 cash, $50,000 in Travel Best Bets gift cards, a $15,000 Save-On-Foods gift card or $11,000 cash, and $100,000 in additional cash.

Dream Grand Prize #2 – Vancouver: Win two homes near Queen Elizabeth Park located at Lilibet Homes (520 West 28th Avenue). Unit #11 has one bedroom, one bathroom, with an interior living space of 551 sq. ft and an additional 353 sq. ft. exterior space. Unit #18 offers two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and a space of 1,176 sq. ft. interior and 555 sq. ft. exterior living space. The package includes a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV or $60,000 cash, $100,000 in Travel Best Bets gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $225,000 in cash. Prize package worth over $3 million.

Dream Grand Prize #3 – Vancouver: Located at PURE (#504 – 263 West 49th Avenue), this three-bedroom plus flex, two-bathroom condo offers 1,060 sq. ft. of interior space plus a 1,304 sq. ft. rooftop terrace. Worth over $3 million, this package includes $40,000 cash in furnishings, a 2025 BMW M8 Competition Cabriolet or $175,000 cash, $75,000 in travel gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $900,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #4 – Langley: Located at TH#19 – 20335 70A Ave, this 1506 sq. ft. townhome includes three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a 670 sq. ft. rooftop deck, and a two-car garage. The prize package is worth over $3 million and includes $50,000 in furnishings, a 2025 Toyota RAV4 SE, $150,000 in travel gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $1,650,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #5 – Coquitlam: Located at BAND (668 Whiting Way), this 1,190 sq. ft. townhome includes three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and one underground EV-capable parking stall. Worth over $3 million, this prize includes $60,000 in furnishings, a 2025 BMW xDrive 50e and 2025 KIA Sportage HEV, $100,000 in travel gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $1,350,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #6 – West Kelowna: This 2,308 sq. ft. lakefront villa at Westrich Bay home (Villa #33, 1650 Old Ferry Road) features three bedrooms plus flex, five bathrooms, a rooftop terrace, a two-car garage, and a five-year marina boat slip & moorage. Worth over $3 million, this prize package also includes a 2025 Audi Q5 Technik 55, a 2025 ATX 22 Type-S Boat, $55,000 in furnishings, a one-year Lagree membership for two or $6,000 cash, additional $800 Lagree Kelowna gift card or $500 cash, gas and groceries for a year, and $500,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #7 – Vernon: At Predator Ridge (PH #602, 75 Predator Ridge Drive), this penthouse with panoramic golf course views features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, 1,486 sq. ft. of living space and a 952 sq. ft. patio, and two parking stalls that include one EV parking, golf cart and storage locker. This $3 million prize package includes a 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e, $75,000 in travel gift cards, $25,000 for a golf cart, gas and groceries for a year, and $825,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #8 – Courtenay: Located at Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community (3222 Winchester Avenue), this 2,113 sq. ft. home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. The $3 million prize includes a $50,000 Design Therapy furniture package, a 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz, $50,000 in travel gift cards, two specialized Vado 3.0 electric bikes, a Crown Isle Pro Shop gift card worth $20,000, Mount Washington gift cards worth $2,500, gas and groceries for a year, and $1,140,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #9 – Sooke: This 1,005 sq. ft. Surfside Yacht Suite at SookePoint (33A, B, C or D, 1000 Sooke Point Place) includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and oceanfront views. Worth over $3 million, the prize includes a 2025 Honda Prologue EX, a 2025 Catalina 275 Sport Sailboat, $100,000 in travel gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $1,320,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #10 – Colwood: Located at The Beachlands (TH#205, 3546 Seabluff Crescent), this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom condo with two-car garage offers 1588 sq. ft. of waterfront living, and a 296 sq. ft. ocean-view roof terrace. Valued at over $3 million, the prize includes $40,000 in furnishings, a 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Ultimate, a 2025 Audi Q5 Technik e-quattro, $100,000 in travel gift cards, gas and groceries for a year, and $1,780,000 in cash.

Dream Grand Prize #11 – $2.5 Million Cash tax-free – Biggest-ever cash prize

“This year’s Dream Lottery truly lives up to its name with 11 Grand Prize options, including our biggest-ever cash prize of $2.5 million, and stunning home packages from Vancouver to the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, all worth over $3 million,” said Erin Cebula, BC Children’s Hospital Dream Lottery spokesperson. “One of my personal favourites is the luxurious lakefront villa in West Kelowna! Imagine waking up to Okanagan views every morning. And remember, when you buy early, you’re not only increasing your chances with Bonus and Early Bird draws, you’re also helping fuel life-saving research at BC Children’s Hospital. It’s a win-win—dream big and do good.”

The 2025 Dream Lottery Early Bird Draw offers a choice of three prize packages and is worth $300,000. The primary winner will choose between: a $125,000 Travel Best Bets gift card package, a 2025 Audi SQ5 Sportback Technik, and gas and groceries for a year; or a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, a 2025 Outdoors RV Back Country Mountain TRX Travel Trailer, gas and groceries for a year, and $15,000 cash; or a tax-free cash option of $210,000. In addition, 50 winners will receive $1,000 cash prize each. 

This year’s lottery also features more early draws than ever before, with a record-breaking 27 Bonus winners (and over $265,000 in prizes), and 51 Early Bird winners with prizes worth $300,000.

Dream Lottery ticket prices are: three-packs for $110, six-packs for $200, nine-packs for $275, and 20-packs for $550. Additional games include the 50/50 PLUS draw, with a jackpot that can grow to almost $3 million, offering a potential payout of nearly $1.5 million to one winner. Tickets for the 50/50 PLUS start at $20. The Daily Cash PLUS game offers 67 days of draws and a total of $348,000 in all-cash prizes, including two $2,000 winners each day from Saturday to Thursday, a $5,000 winner every Friday, and three Ultimate Prize winners of $25,000. Tickets for Daily Cash PLUS start at $30.

Ticket sales for the 2025 Dream Lottery run until midnight, Thursday, October 10, 2025, or until they are sold out, and there are 2,350 prizes worth over $3.8 million, including luxury homes, vacations, and cars. Individuals can purchase their tickets online at bcchildren.com, by phone at 604.536.2491 or 1.888.888.1567, or in-person now at London Drugs and Save-On-Foods starting July 14, 2025. For more information, visit bcchildren.com.