After being diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in May, Oliva’s devastated parents were told their precious little girl’s tumour was inoperable and had a zero per cent chance of survival.
Sadly, their “vibrant, beautiful” Olivia passed away on June 30.
And while her broken family will never be the same again, they are taking comfort in the fact that Olivia’s bowels and liver have saved the lives of two gravely ill children.
In May Olivia, pictured with her mother Lauressa, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
After hearing about Olivia’s journey through social media Jessica Goeller, whose three-year-old son Lucas was dying from a very aggressive liver condition called biliary atresia, reached out to the Swedberg family.
“[Lucas’s mother] told me she had been following our story and felt compelled by God to contact us to let us know that he needed a liver, she was very sorry for us, but also knew there was a bigger picture in place,” Lauressa Swedberg explained to Fox Carolina.
After weighing up their options the Swedbergs, who live in Nebraska, decided the gift of organ donation was a perfect way to honour their daughter while helping others.
Three-year-old Lucas was dying from an aggressive liver disease called biliary atresia.
“She is an amazing little girl and we will miss her so terribly, but I know that, I have renewed faith, I have seen God’s hands work in this and how could I not move forward knowing what a miracle she was to these praying families?” Swedberg said.
However the Swedbergs hit a road block when they weren’t allowed to give Olivia’s liver straight to Lucas and instead were advised to donate it to the official organ bank.
Lauressa wasn’t entirely sure if her daughter’s liver had found its way to Lucas so she continued to check the Save Lucas Facebook page for good news.
When she finally heard that it had all fallen into place, the grieving mother was overwhelmed with joy.
Lucas recovers following his liver transplant, his stomach appears swollen from fluids and gas
“I woke up that morning knowing my daughter had passed, but after seeing Lucas’ status update that he had gotten it, I felt such peace and comfort knowing that she was going to live on,” Lauressa told People.
“I’m mourning and grieving, but I had a renewed faith knowing Olivia saved that little boy,” she added of the bitter sweet moment.
Jessica was equally blown away by the series of events. “When I realised his donor was the little girl of the woman who had Facebook messaged me, I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.
“Lauressa, during her darkest hour, was willing to reach out and love another child. She was able to say: ‘My daughter’s purpose is to give life to another.’ I know that Olivia is his guardian angel, looking over him right now.”
The miracle of life was also gifted to four-year-old Angelo Giorno from Pennsylvania, who was tragically born with his intestines on the exterior of his body. As a result, his intestines were removed and Angelo was left with short gut syndrome.
In happier times cheeky Lucas dresses up as the Cookie Monster for Halloween.
But after receiving Olivia’s intestines Angelo, who has undergone more than 15 surgeries in his short life, has turned a corner.
“It’s a tragedy, but it’s such a blessing. Olivia will always live on in Angelo. We’re keeping scrapbooks and information on her. He’s going to know Olivia, and her parents. She gave him the gift of life,” Angelo’s proud father Dale told People.
Now, both little boys are recovering from their operations – a gift Lauressa will treasure forever.
“My Little O had a purpose in this life, and that was to help Lucas and Angelo. I’m sure of it. I’m amazed at the power of social media. I really do think this was a miracle,” Lauressa mused.
Four-year-old Angelo Giorno’s life was saved after receiving Olivia’s intestines.
