Her soul dances and shines through her eyes and makes the whole world want to dance.

We are rallying around Olivia Pace, an incredible young woman, daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend on her way to be able to breathe free – her journey to a lung transplant and beyond. To know Olivia, with the dancing eyes, is to fall in love with her. She is a loving daughter to her mother, Lisa, and her father, Kermit; an amazing sister to Maia and Xavier and a true friend to so many. She is a fierce advocate for others, determined and brave. She is magical.

Olivia was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as a newborn. CF is a progressive genetic disease that impacts the lungs, digestive system and other organs. While there are treatments for CF, there currently is no cure. Many in the CF population have received miracle drugs called CF modulators which halt the progression of the disease in the lungs. But, for 5-10% of the remaining CF patients with a particular genetic mutation, the drug just isn’t there yet. This includes Oliva and now the only treatment available to her so that she may live a longer healthier life is a lung transplant.

Despite her early diagnosis, or maybe because of it (and a vigilant mother) Olivia led a healthy and typical childhood – dancing, singing, summer camp, and dreaming of going off to college. There were hospitalizations once or twice a year and these became more like tune-ups when her lung function dipped. But she wouldn’t let this stop her. She attended Portland State University where she jumped into the full college experience, making many friends, becoming an esteemed activist and earning a degree in Child and Family Studies in 2019.

In 2020 with the onset of Covid and wildfire smoke, Olivia started to lose lung function at an alarming rate. Despite her health struggles, Olivia continued her work as a pre-school teacher and an advocate and mentor for sex-trafficked youth of color. In 2023, Olivia left the workforce as she could not maintain a work schedule and her CF care. But, always seeking a challenge, this amazing, ever determined girl enrolled in a part-time MSW program. She did fantastic until this past summer when she became too sick to continue with school.

Her doctors have determined that a transplant is now necessary and Olivia, with her family’s support, has completed the pre-transplant evaluation to become an approved candidate. She is currently waiting for insurance approval and some preliminary testing for antibiotic care post-transplant. It is our great hope that she is listed this month, and a transplant will soon follow, though we know a transplant for Olivia means joy for one family and sorrow for another.

Once the transplant takes place, Olivia will be living in Seattle for three months to be near the University of Washington Medical Center. Lisa and Kermit will trade off being with her and seeing to her care. If all goes well, after that three-month period, Olivia will be home taking walks outside, getting ready to go back to school and singing some karaoke.

No one plans for a diagnosis like this, especially not at 29 years old. The emotional, physical, and financial burden is enormous. We’ve created this GoFundMe to help ease some of that weight so Olivia and her family can focus on what matters most: transplant and healing, time together, and getting through each day.

Funds will help support:

• Medical bills and treatment not fully covered by insurance

• Travel to medical appointments

• Household and medical stay support post-transplant

• Lost income during treatment and recovery

• Creating meaningful moments with her family and launching back into life

Olivia is strong, determined, and surrounded by people who love her deeply. Every donation, share, prayer, or kind thought helps remind her and her family that they are not alone as they navigate this unimaginable journey.

If you’re able to give, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page and keeping Olivia in your thoughts means more than we can say. Let’s lift her up on her journey to breathe free.

For more about Olivia’s life, read this.. We will be posting updates, but you can also stay up to date on what is happening with the transplant and just in the life of Olivia and her family, check out Lisa’s Lisa’s Substack.