About Olivia Cook
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This is Olivia's Story; the LivLife Story.
It is a story of Strength, Collaboration, Wellness and Faith!
It is the Stone Soup of Medical Miracles, the seed of the Giving Tree of dreams. This is the story of all of us Together... how one person can change a life, and many can Change the World!
Graced with bright blue eyes, sandy blond hair and chubby cheeks, Olivia Cook, age six in May, is tiny for her age. Born and diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, Olivia carries around a distended stomach, and is subjected to needles, a feeding tube and medicines every day. Nevertheless, she is nothing short of a miracle.
Her parents discovered her illness, Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD), when Olivia was 18 months old. Most children with this disease do not survive birth; those who do rarely make it long in this world. The fact that Olivia’s illness was hidden for more than a year stands as a testament to her incredible Strength and Fighting Will.
ARPKD attacks the kidneys, filling them with cysts that hinder the natural function of the organ. In Liv’s case, it also attacks her spleen and liver, making it difficult for her body to filter impurities, distending her midsection and squishing her stomach. Olivia has to take growth hormones because her body went so long without receiving the vitamins and minerals necessary for development. She also is a slave to a feeding tube so her little body can receive the slow-drip nutrition her stomach can’t absorb during her normally tiny meals.
Smaller than most of her classmates, generally disposed to quick exhaustion, and endlessly subjected to medical treatments most of us pray to avoid, Olivia is a surprise: upon meeting her, you’d never assume that this Bundle of Light and Joy is battling for her life. Olivia needs a kidney transplant to stay alive.
Olivia's dad was originally considered to be the prime candidate for kidney donation; unfortunately he was diagnosed with two forms of rare terminal cancer and is currently fighting for both his daughters' life and his own. Liv's mom Kimberly went through great pains to be considered as a match, but is unfortunately unable to donate at this time. A local fitness instructor, Danica Kilander, tested next and will be donating her kidney to Olivia on July 14, 2010. Many angels have gathered together to offer support and create a program to help out.
The cost of a transplant and related expenses can be overwhelming. The Good News is, we are all in this fight together! Olivia's community created a campaign called LivLife. We are working through COTA to create a lasting fundraising campaign to help families like Olivia's cope with transplant related expenses.
The short and simple message of it all is that this is a burden too great to carry alone. This is the time to define and create community...humanity. Olivia's story could be any one of ours. She is our daughter, our sister, ourselves... And she needs our help.
This is the moment to live out your potential. Consider...how will you help? Please play on our website to see how you can get involved. We invite you to leave a message for Olivia in the guest book.
If you have any questions, please call Danica Kilander, LivLife Coordinator at 360-393-9133, or via e-mail at