Support for Olivia Black and Family

This is for 12-year-old Olivia Black who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, with an estimated 6-7 months to live.

Olivia has a non-operable tumor (DIPG) that is located on her brain stem. The tumor is progressing rapidly. Olivia has lost her ability to move without assistance and has trouble with speech, swallowing and chewing. She requires 24-hour care including transportation to/from the hospital for daily radiation treatments. She will receive these treatments over the next six weeks. These treatments will involve other medical support expenses.

The goal of the radiation treatment is to reverse her deterioration for a few months which will allow Olivia to be able to join a research treatment study (only 300 children have been identified with DIPG in the USA) that is being done by a team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City.

Olivia is the daughter of Kenneth Black a 35-year ski patroller at the Kissing Bridge Resort. Ken was also Northern Section Chief and then Assistant Regional Director for the WNY Region of the National Ski Patrol.

A GoFundMe Account has been set up to assist Olivia and her family with expenses relating to her care, treatments and loss of parental income:

Your participation by donating and passing this email on to others will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Diane

Diane M. Smith

Kissing Bridge Ski Patrol Director