April 30, 2024 by Charlie Gleeksman (‘24)
I interviewed Olivia Allen on January 31, 2024, with the intention of getting a good grade in my journalism class. Hearing her full story as well as her family’s side struck me, and I was drawn in by her perseverance and strength. I want to dedicate this profile to Olivia Allen, the most indestructible girl I’ve ever met. As well as her family, her friends, and anyone who’s willing to listen to her story. I hope whoever reads this can indulge in the same experience I had and continue to feel Olivia’s positive light.
The cracked walls, the dim lights, and the people clearly in pain was an abrupt awakening. The maze of rooms was overwhelming. After finding my way to the elevator, a man inside told me it was his mother’s last day here. I took it positively as I expected he meant she was being released, but the defeated look on his face told me otherwise. Walking into the children’s section, I found that the bright red walls and the friendly staff offered a comforting feeling in the dark hospital and gave me a sense of relief. I followed a nurse to a bright blue room. Opening the door, she revealed a room that was decorated with stuffed animals, flowers, and pillows. Olivia sat in her bed talking to her parents, and with open arms, she gladly said hello.
In June 2023, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School was diagnosed with Leukemia, a type of blood cancer characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal blood cells. Leukemia is most common in younger children, ages 2 to 5. Unfortunately, it took a toll on Olivia Allen’s life just a few weeks after her senior prom at the age of 17. Since her diagnosis, Olivia has survived a stroke, and a relapse of the cancer. Half of her body was temporarily paralyzed, and she works every day to regain its power.
Olivia has been a High Honor Roll student. Her friendly, cheerful manner involved her in many clubs and sports throughout her high school career. “She went from being a 3-sport athlete to not even being able to move her arm,” said Sophia Allen, Olivia’s younger sister. As an extraordinary field hockey player, track star, a dedicated gymnast, and Student Council member, Olivia was admitted to impressive colleges and was excited to go, until a more laborious journey began.
“In January I got very sick. They had diagnosed me with mono, but I just kept pushing through because I thought I was just a tired highschooler who didn’t get enough sleep,” said Olivia. After days of high fevers and feeling dreadful, she went back to Albany Med looking for help and support but found herself being pushed away and told to come back in two months. “Two days later, they asked me why I was still here, and that was difficult to hear because I was so sick. Even if I didn’t look like it, I still felt it, and no one believed me,” said Olivia.
Finally, Olivia was admitted and in less than 24 hours, she was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia B Cell. “I was 90% filled with leukemia cells. So, if I had come back in two months, I definitely would have not been here today,” Olivia said. In less than 24 hours her life had changed tremendously, and she started aggressive chemo treatments,” said Sophia Allen.
“When I first heard I had leukemia I said to everyone it’s going to be okay, don’t worry — because I felt like I needed to be strong for everyone else. In reality, you obviously think the worst, but you just have to keep your spirits up and have faith that it is going to be okay,” said Olivia.
Two weeks after her diagnosis, Liv began to experience pains in her chest and legs. Trusting her doctors, she went back to the ER and explained to them she thought she had a blood clot, and for the third time, Olivia was pushed away and sent home with Oxy and told she had anxiety.
“A couple days later I woke up and I’m completely paralyzed from my right side down. I had suffered a stroke. The blood clot (that I did actually have) traveled to my brain and I had a brain bleed,” said Olivia. The Allen family rushed Olivia to the ER. Olivia said, “I sat in the ER for 90 minutes, seizing, waiting for a doctor, and they didn’t believe me because I was 17.” According to Olivia, the stroke was one of the scariest parts of her journey. “A doctor came up to me the next day and said we watched you closely because we thought you were going to die,” Olivia said.
Every day, Olivia reminds her family, her friends, and herself just how strong she really is. “Liv is the most inspiring person that I’ve ever met. She’s strong, she’s brave, she’s positive and because of that I’ve been able to feed off her because she’s got this infectious smile and way about her that just makes you feel good,” said her mom, Melissa Allen. “She makes you believe that anything is possible.”
After her stroke, Olivia spent weeks in the hospital, working to beat her paralysis, and her health began to improve tremendously. She was back on her feet, going to gymnastics practices and hockey games, until once again, she found out that her journey was not over. “So, I was in the Pediatric ICU for about 2 and a half weeks, I finally started to get better, I got into remission and then on December 19th, I relapsed,” said Olivia.
“I was definitely sad, but I wasn’t scared because I know I can handle it.” Her family has been her support system for her entire life, and they weren’t about to stop now, or ever. “The journey has been long and it’s going to be longer,” said Melissa Allen. “My sister is the most inspiring person I have ever met. Every day she continues to amaze me, her strengths are unmatched, and her optimistic personality lightens up the room,” said Olivia’s younger sister, Sophia Allen.
Olivia’s next leap in her journey is her bone marrow transplant, a medical procedure used to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. “Right now, I’m doing amino acid therapy to get me back into remission and then go for a [bone marrow] transplant,” Olivia said.
The Allen family is extremely grateful to everyone who has been supportive of Olivia’s journey, Mellissa Allen stated “Keep sending positive vibes, I’m a big believer that mindset is everything and we have to trust the process.” Her family is prepared for whatever may come, and Olivia’s positive mindset is undeniably the glue that keeps their family strong. “While you feel isolated by being the sibling of a family member battling cancer, please know you aren’t alone. I would welcome those siblings with open arms, to have a conversation together, to support each other, and just physically be there,” said Sophia Allen.
In the loving memory of Olivia Allen, who passed away March 28, 2024. May her story inspire all who are willing to listen and be a constant reminder to Live Like Liv.