A new charity in the area is in memory of a young woman with an irrepressible smile who inspired a region to Live Like Liv. 

Olivia Allen was a standout athlete – gymnastics, field hockey. You name it, she could do it.

Her middle name was Grace – perfect for a young woman who faced her leukemia diagnosis and treatment gracefully and cheerfully.

Doctors at Albany Med were so amazed at her positivity and her unwavering smile in the face of adversity, that they were moved to Live Like Liv. 

Liv Allen fought with a smile until March 28 when she couldn’t fight any longer. 

Her mom and sister joined NewsChannel 13’s Mark Mulholland for a just-released episode of “The Up Beat” podcast from Kelly’s Angels to talk about the foundation they’ve started to help kids who are battling cancer, and about how Liv, remarkably remained positive. She found the bright side even when told the leukemia was worse than doctors first thought, and the planned treatment wouldn’t work.

“I obviously was in absolute tears. And Liv looked at her and said, ‘This will be OK because maybe then, I will have a bone marrow transplant and then be done with it. I won’t have to do 2 1/2 years of treatment.’”

Liv was actually consoling her mother.

“The doctor and the nurse were just like ‘Liv, this is such a you statement.’ I’m almost in a fetal position and Liv is like ‘I’ve got this.’”

The organization, Live Like Liv, is also helping siblings of those children battling cancer. 

MORE: The UpBeat podcast