Olivia’s Comeback: From leukemia diagnosis to living life fully
Jun 3, 2025, 8:00 AM | Updated: 8:10 am
Olivia Smart bundled up while receiving treatment for Leukemia. (Smart Family)
(Smart Family)
SALT LAKE CITY — At 17, Olivia Smart is doing what many teenagers love — playing pickleball, baking cookies, and teaching her dog new tricks. But just three years ago, her world looked very different.
At 14, Olivia’s mom, Sarah, noticed something was off.
“She had bruising, and she had black spots in her eyes,” Sarah recalled. “She was on a hike and just felt really faint. I said, ‘You know what? We just need to go and get a checkup.’”
That checkup changed everything.
“The phone call came in an hour after the blood test,” Sarah said. “It was our pediatrician saying, ‘I hate to do it like this, but Olivia has leukemia, and they’re waiting for you at Primary Children’s.’”
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
The diagnosis was a shock. Olivia had never even had an IV before. Suddenly, she was surrounded by doctors, tests, and uncertainty.
“I just started crying,” Olivia said. “And this nurse came in, saw me going through this terrible time, and just held me. She told me it would be OK.”
Doctors tried a targeted chemotherapy drug, but it didn’t work. Olivia needed a bone-marrow transplant, but no ideal donor could be found.
“You get the diagnosis, and then you’ve got plan A, plan B, plan C,” said her dad, Tony. “Once you start crossing those off, the list gets smaller.”
A Breakthrough Treatment — and a New Beginning
Olivia became the first patient at Primary Children’s Hospital to undergo a cutting-edge therapy that reduced transplant risks and gave her a real shot at recovery.
Now, more than a year in remission, Olivia is back in school and back to being a teenager.
“Live your life, do what you want to do, and don’t be scared to do it,” she said.
Olivia Smart holding her family dog while she was fighting leukemia. (Smart Family)
Her family is forever grateful for the care they received.
“When you’re faced with life-changing news, the care of the nurses, the doctors—everyone—it’s hard to put into words,” Sarah said. “It felt like a big hug.”
Olivia Smart, who is living her life after beating leukemia. (Smart Family)
Join the KSL Give-A-Thon – June 4
Olivia’s story is one of many made possible by the expert care and compassion at Primary Children’s Hospital. You can help more kids like Olivia by supporting the KSL Give-A-Thon.
Tune in to KSL TV on June 4 for a day of inspiring stories and live interviews — including a special appearance by Olivia and her family.
You can donate now at KSLKIDS.com.
Your support ensures that every child, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, receives the care they need to heal and thrive.
