4 years ago today was supposed to be Olivia’s last chemo treatment ever. After 7 months of high intensity chemo treatments, our baby girl had no more evidence of disease just in time for her 1st birthday celebration a few days later. I can’t even begin to describe the joy we felt at that time. It was the biggest answer to prayer I could have hoped for. My daughter was going to make it!

I remember writing the words, “See you later chemo,” as the caption of a photo of Olivia as I pushed her out of her treatment room in her stroller for the last time. Someone commented and said, “No, it should be never see you again chemo!” Little did I know at that moment that we were going to see chemo again. In reality, we would have just about 3 months of normalcy before Olivia’s cancer would come back with a vengeance.

And now today I sit here with Olivia’s birthday coming up on Sunday and I know it is the fourth one in a row I have spent without her. She only had one birthday celebration on this earth before the cancer stole her life. I can’t even put to words how much I hate cancer and what it has done to my family. It not only stole my daughter’s life and her future, but it has changed the course of all of our lives forever.

Please remember my little girl this week and her beautiful smile. She should be turning 5, but instead she will be forever 20 months and 3 days old. If you can, please light a candle. Wear pink or purple. Or donate $5 in honor of Olivia’s 5th birthday to pediatric cancer research. Please never forget my Livy girl. I know I never will.

Olivia Caldwell Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that raises money for pediatric cancer research. We are asking that everyone donate $5 to pediatric cancer research in honor of Olivia’s 5th birthday. For less than the cost of one fast food meal you will be helping to save the lives of children battling cancer today and those who will in the future. Donate anytime by clicking on this link: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTU0OTM=. You can also learn more about the foundation and Olivia’s story by visiting our website.