Athens Child to be Part of WSB Care-a-Thon Live Broadcast

A 5-year-old Athens child's story of her battle with Leukemia will be shared during the 12th annual WSB Care-a-Thon, coming up on July 26-27.

Kasyn Olivadotti and her parents UGA Coach Kirk Olivadotti and wife Keely will speak during the upcoming live broadcast to raise money to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta provided the following background from Kasyn's family:

We went to the Urgent Care because Kasyn had an infected insect bite, and we got the appropriate antibiotics to treat her for a Staph infection.  Over the next couple days, I started noticing bruises with large knots under them on her arms and legs.  I knew she hadn't gotten them from playing because she was feeling down from the infection and medication.  I knew something wasn't right and called her physician, and they had me bring her right in. They sent us straight to the local hospital for tests and put us in our own room so we would not be in any waiting rooms.  I wasn't sure what all this meant, but I certainly didn't expect it to be anything close to cancer. After several tests, the doctor called the room to deliver the most frightening, shocking, and unforgettable news:  she had Leukemia.  Her platelets were so low that they were worried she could start to have bleeding at any minute.  We were transported by ambulance to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.  No reason can be explained why this happened to her, but the amazing doctors quickly started to teach us all about Leukemia.   I rode with Kasyn in the ambulance and her Daddy followed.  We finally arrived in the wee morning hours and there was not one minute wasted.  They ran more tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The UGA Football Coaches Wives have come together in support of the Kasyn Cares Fund, according to an AJC report.

The Care-a-Thon will air continuously from 5 a.m. Thursday, July 26, to 6 p.m. Friday, July 27. Oconee County residents can also listen to the broadcast online using WSB's streaming radio.

Click here to make a donation to the WSB Care-a-Thon. 

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