10-Yr-Old Girl Raises Over $4K For Breast Cancer When Mom Is Diagnosed

Being 10-years-old and finding out your mom has breast cancer is naturally devastating. When Olivia Ohlson, from Evanston Ill., found herself in that scary situation, she refused to just sit down and be helpless. She’s been raising money to help cancer patients like her mom, and so far has racked up an amazing $4,500!!

Ohlson’s mom was diagnosed this past spring. She’s being treated at the Northside Kellogg Cancer Center, so Ohlson is raising as much money as possible to donate to the center.

This little girl has the brains and willpower of a grown woman! Her mom must be SO proud.

It all started off with any kid’s go-to way of raising money—a lemonade stand. Ohlson sold pink lemonade and shortbread cookies in her neighborhood to raise money for breast cancer treatment.

When she wanted to take things even further, she started sharing her story with local bakeries to get them to donate baked goods.

Bakeries were touched by Ohlson’s moving story and determined spirit. Gretchen Vetter of Tag’s Bakery says, “I was very moved by it, so I was more than willing to help.”

Bake shops donated all kinds of goodies with a breast cancer theme — think lots and lots of pink ribbons — for Ohlson to sell to make money.

Ohlson’s story quickly went viral. What kind of state is our health care system in that a little kid has to step up like that?!

Ohlson’s story shows that that’s not quite the case here. She's raising money for breast cancer patients in general, not just her mom.

"I know my mom has lots of family and friends who take care of her," Ohlson says. "But lots of other people don't, so they need more support. By giving Kellogg money, they can use it for patients."

It's even MORE inspiring that Ohlson is raising money for others who might need more help than her mom. How does one fit so much compassion into such a little kid's body?

Whatever it is, keep doing what you're doing, Olivia!