SANDY, Utah — Each Christmas tree inside the Mountain America Expo Center this weekend tells a story during the Festival of Trees, the annual event that benefits Primary Children's Hospital.
With big bows, sparkly ribbons and ornaments, the trees are fully decorated to celebrate the season during the 55th year of the festivities that run through Saturday.
For Livvie Smart, her tree stands out with glittery ornaments, and underneath are gifts featuring her personal favorites. Livvie is the festival's patient champion with a whole setup on display. full of decorations in her honor.
One gift in particular holds special meaning for Livvie.
“It’s called the gift of life, and it just represents still being here,” she said.
Watch: Primary Children's patient champion shares how Festival of Trees aided in her recovery
When she was 14, Livvie was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia.
“I spent a week in the hospital trying to figure out my treatment,” she explained. “Ten months later, my doctors called and said my treatment was ineffective and the next step was transplant.”
Since Livvie wasn’t a match with a family member, she was forced to wait to find an outside match, which finally came from a stranger across the country.
“I received the transplant, and now I’m two years in remission,” she said.
Livvie was the first patient at Primary Children’s Hospital to receive a new treatment called Alpha Beta T Cell Depletion. Her parents said the hospital was able to get their daughter the care she needed because of its resources.
“We were at one of our lowest points, and they said, 'Hey, we have this new treatment that Livvie can benefit from,' and they did it in such a quick fashion,” said Livvie's dad, Tony.
The money raised at the festival through ticket, food and tree sales goes directly to the hospital.
“It helps with new technologies, charities and for people who can’t afford certain modalities and treatments,” said Sarah Smart, Livvie’s mom.
At the festival, Livvie and her family have a table for the National Marrow Donor Program where people can swab the inside of their cheeks and have the sample placed on the bone marrow registry.
If a match is made, the person will be asked to donate their bone marrow. According to NMDP, the best age for donations is between 18 and 35.
“It saved my life, and it being here can potentially save someone else,” said Livvie.
The Festival of Trees will be held at Mountain America Expo Center through Saturday, with general admission tickets on sale for $10 for adults and $7 for kids.
