Ty Hultink was 15 years old when he passed away following an 18-month battle with brain cancer.
Nearly two years later, his mother Deb Hultink is organizing a second annual toy and item drive for the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton in memory of her son.
“This is a way to honour Ty and keep his memory alive. We are able to give back after all the ways we were supported by the Stollery, the community, friends and family,” said Hultink.
“We’re looking for any kind of toys, Lego, cards, monetary donations to bring to Child Life, which is a program at the Stollery where they offer therapeutic services, gifts or support to a child going through cancer and other medical (experiences).”
Ty stayed at the Stollery for 10 days following brain surgery. He also visited the hospital plenty of times prior to his death in April 2022.
“We had appointments every week for radiation, chemo, blood work and all of those types of things,” said Hultink.
“We were there on a regular basis and the staff there are amazing. Child Life provided a light for Ty when he was going through his treatments. He would get blood work drawn and then they would give him a little gift card.”
After one visit, Ty received his “dream Lego set”: a green Lamborghini.
“Someone had donated it and it’s like a $400-500 Lego set. Ty’s Child Life worker was liked, ‘I know exactly who that’s going to.’
“Ty was gifted that and he ended up building it when we came home from his brain surgery. It took him 18 hours to build and we were told it was the best therapy Ty could have ever done after brain surgery. It was a blessing in many ways.”
Last year’s toy and item drive was a big success, Hultink noted.
“We had an overwhelming response. Our van was full with things to bring to the Stollery. We were very excited, that’s for sure,” she said.
People interested in making donations are able to drop items at the Yu-Turn Centre in Lacombe (5025 50 St.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday, until Feb. 6.
Donations can also be placed inside a bin located at 46 Pickwick Ln. in Lacombe. Amazon orders can be sent to the same address.
The items will be brought to the Stollery on Feb. 7, which would have been Ty’s 17th birthday.