Ty Hultink, pictured with his Lego Lamborghini which he spent 18 hours building after his brain surgery. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

benefiting the stollery

Toy and item drive happening in memory of teen who died battling cancer

Jan 11, 2024 | 5:00 PM

The giving and generous nature of a young Lacombe man who passed away two years ago is living on through an annual toy and item drive for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Ty Hultink, then 15, died in April 2022 after an 18-month fight with brain cancer.

Hultink spent a considerable amount of time at the Stollery in Edmonton, buoyed by what’s called the Child Life program. Child Life provides therapeutic services to young patients and their families to ease the emotional burden through various types of therapy, play and music, as well as with gifts.

While in the program, Hultink received a Lego Lamborghini that he’d very much desired, which boosted his spirit while undergoing treatment.

So to keep his memory going, and to honour what would have been his 17th birthday on Feb. 7, 2024, the family is collecting the following items, and delivering them that day:

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Debra Hultink, Ty’s mom, spoke of her son’s “super giving” heart.

“He was the kindest kid. For instance, one time he asked my husband to go to a mall and buy me a necklace with his money, or to get his brother shoes or his friends something. We want to keep that going in his memory and honour,” she says.

“For his funeral, we asked for people to please not give flowers, but instead donate Lego. We had an insane amount in our living room to donate along with gift cards and money. This is the first year we’re doing a drive around his birthday.”

Items can be dropped off until Feb. 6 at the Yu-Turn Centre in Lacombe (5025 50 Street) from 9-3, Monday to Thursday. There is also a bin at 46 Pickwick Lane in Lacombe. If you can’t drop off to Lacombe, Amazon orders can be sent to 46 Pickwick Lane and will be included in the Stollery drop off.

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