Olivia: Awesome Future

Olivia Cooper smiles at the camera from her hospital bed

In early winter 2014, 4-year-old Olivia Cooper's parents, Luke and Marina, sensed something wasn't quite right with their normally energetic daughter. She wasn't eating and had developed a persistent rash that just wouldn't go away.

On the afternoon of Friday, February 7, 2014, a routine visit to Olivia's pediatrician brought troubling news: a large, abnormal lump in her stomach that required additional testing. Within hours, tests confirmed the family's worst fears: a form of cancer called a Wilms tumor had taken over Olivia's entire kidney, and doctors admitted her to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center where they immediately began discussing the best options for treatment of her stage-four cancer.

On Monday, February 10, 2014 Olivia underwent a successful surgery to remove a nearly two pound tumor and her right kidney. For the following seven months, Olivia frequently visited the Johns Hopkins Children's Center for chemotherapy. It was during one of these first chemotherapy treatments that the MIX 106.5 DJs first met Olivia at their 25th Annual Radiothon.

"We had never stepped foot in Hopkins a day before this," says Marina, "I would say we feel very lucky to have that home. There's nothing more I could want for in terms of my child besides Hopkins, they give everything there."

A devastating result of the chemotherapy was Olivia's loss of hair. As a sign of support, the entire Cooper family donned freshly shaved heads, embracing the motto "Hair by Christmas, she will have hair by Christmas."

Fortunately, this motto came true and today, Olivia is in remission and returns to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center every three months for screenings. Olivia is incredibly close to her brother Lucas, and is an absolute sweetheart that shares her love and joy with everyone she meets. She is always eager to give hugs, enjoys doing arts and crafts and loves spending time with her family.

To stay up-to-date on Olivia's journey, you can follow the hashtag her parents have started on all social media platforms #OliviasAwesomeFuture.

Listen to Olivia's story