Kolby Hay is selling slushies – not to raise money for a new video game or a bicycle – but to help researchers find a cure for his mother, who was one of 30,500 Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
The six year old, who just started Grade 2, sold slushies during the summer break.
He held his first fundraiser when his family went camping in Golden Ears Provincial Park at the end of June.
For one entire day Kolby put a sign on his bicycle and rode around the entire campground advertising the fundraiser, and with the help of his eight-year-old brother Colten, they sold slushies and made beaded bracelets for anyone who turned up.
"He just started selling anything and everything, because he was determined," said his mother, Chelsea Ha, who received her cancer diagnosis on Sept. 18, 2024, at the age of 40.
Kolby even had a float of his own money, from his birthday and grandparents, that he used to give change to customers, but he has since decided to donate.
That day Kolby sold about 40 slushies and raised around $65. He said he felt happy.
"Because I wanted my mom to feel better," he said.
And inspired by his first attempt at fundraising, Kolby decided to hold two more fundraisers from his garage in July, this time inviting friends, family, and the community.
Chelsea, now 41, explained that she was planning to undergo breast reduction surgery in 2024. Instead doctors sent her for multiple mammograms, an ultrasound, and then a biopsy.
Doctors discovered a 12-centimetre tumour in her left breast and told her the cancer had travelled to one of her lymph nodes.
They scheduled her for chemotherapy.
Then, just before she was to start chemo, her oncologist made another discovery, she was told they found another tumour on her ovary.
To date, Chelsea has undergone 16 weeks of chemo, her ovary was removed, and she had a double mastectomy. She began radiation therapy last week.
The mother of two, though, is undeterred.
She will still be doing the CIBC Run for the Cure with her husband, Cole Enders, and her two sons on Sunday, Oct. 5, along with her mother, a breast cancer survivor, who is flying in all the way from Ontario.
Other friends and family, will also be doing the run including Jackie Morales, who works with Chelsea, and who was also diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time.
Funds raised from the run will go to fund research and support Canadians affected by breast cancer.
According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women.
"With the help of our donors, we hope to reduce the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer, reduce mortality for those who develop the disease, and improve the quality of life for those affected," said the society on their website.
Chelsea couldn't be more proud of both her sons, whom she described as "pilars" throughout her diagnosis and treatment.
"They both have been so supportive," she said, adding they are both very loving and kind.
"This one," she said pointing to Kolby. "He will be in sales," she said laughing about his easy ability to get people to the fundraisers.
So far, Kolby has raised $335 which he will donate to his mother's team in the upcoming run.
However, he wants to raise more.
Kolby is holding one more slushie sale on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 3:30 p.m. from his garage at #115-24951 112 Ave., where he is planning to have lime-ade slushies and rootbeer floats.
He is hoping to have a lineup all the way to Australia.
The hardest part about fundraising, explained Kolby, is putting all the money away.
"Because there is so much," he said.
Kolby has more fun handing out the drinks because of all the smiles he gets.
He is also looking forward to doing the walk with his family and donating his money.
His biggest hope now is that doctors will, "know how to kill the cancer."
The CIBC Run for the Cure will be taking place from 8:30 a.m. until noon in Mill Lake Park, 2310 Emerson St., Abbotsford, on Sunday, Oct. 5.
To donate to Chelsea Hay's team go to: https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_even_?px=15148424&pg=personal&fr_id=30437.
