A Final Gift of Love: Bartlesville Teen Saves Four Lives Through Organ Donation
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Oklahoma City, OK (February 10, 2025) - Olivia Richardson, of Bartlesville, was gifted in many ways; she was an incredible singer, artist, friend and sister, loved by many in her community. However, it was only discovered after her untimely passing that her greatest and most profound gift would be the legacy she left behind by saving the lives of others. From a young age, Olivia knew she wanted to be on the stage. Her parents say she was a one-of-a-kind old soul, and always had the confidence in herself to pursue her passion for music and art. From the moment she learned to speak, she was singing, a talent that led her to participate in choir and earn a lead role as Anne Frank in her school play. She made friends everywhere she went and had a special gift for making everyone feel seen, needed, accepted and loved. Olivia’s younger sister, Sophia, looked up to her, as did many in her community. When Olivia was struck by lightning at a local park, her family made the decision to honor her through organ, eye and tissue donation. Olivia had an unwavering connection to her faith and truly loved others. A month before she passed, she said to her parents, “someday when I die, I know where I’m going and I’m not afraid.” |
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Olivia and Sophia
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After being introduced to LifeShare Oklahoma, the state’s organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant, the Richardsons knew Olivia would choose to be a donor. Her parents say she was the most selfless person they had ever met and she would have wanted to save the life of another.
“Each person we interacted with from LifeShare was so compassionate and knowledgeable,” Olivia’s mother, Tamara, said. “We never felt pressured, and we asked a lot of questions. They were so patient with us. With their help, we were able to get the peace we needed.” |
Tamara, who now works for Wesleyan Christian School in Bartlesville, says her neighbors and colleagues have been the support system her family needed to navigate Olivia’s passing.
“Our community has been here for us in incredible ways. We had just moved to Bartlesville a year before, but it felt like we lived here our whole lives. We really needed these people, and I believe they needed Olivia, too. She had a big impact on those around her.”
In the year following her passing, Olivia’s parents have continued to voice support for the lifesaving possibilities of organ, eye and tissue donation. With her gift, Olivia saved four lives – donating her kidney, pancreas, liver and heart, and enhanced many more lives through bone and tissue. Her legacy of kindness and friendship will continue to live on through the recipients who she gave a second chance at life.
On the Rock Ministries, where Olivia once volunteered, started a memorial fund in her name. The money raised will be used to help send youth members on their annual bike trip.
“Donation is truly the greatest gift you can give to another family, another parent, another sibling,” Tamara shared. “It’s a domino effect. We walk away with gratitude knowing someone out there is thriving and getting to live because of Olivia. If I could share one thing with our community, it would be that we can affect others in a good way, just by making that decision when the time comes.”
More than 800 people across Oklahoma and over 100,000 across the country need a lifesaving transplant. Donor heroes like Olivia give those in greatest need a chance to live happy, healthy lives with their families.
February 14 is National Donor Day. You can be a hero today and inspire hope for those waiting by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org and sharing your decision with your family.
“Our community has been here for us in incredible ways. We had just moved to Bartlesville a year before, but it felt like we lived here our whole lives. We really needed these people, and I believe they needed Olivia, too. She had a big impact on those around her.”
In the year following her passing, Olivia’s parents have continued to voice support for the lifesaving possibilities of organ, eye and tissue donation. With her gift, Olivia saved four lives – donating her kidney, pancreas, liver and heart, and enhanced many more lives through bone and tissue. Her legacy of kindness and friendship will continue to live on through the recipients who she gave a second chance at life.
On the Rock Ministries, where Olivia once volunteered, started a memorial fund in her name. The money raised will be used to help send youth members on their annual bike trip.
“Donation is truly the greatest gift you can give to another family, another parent, another sibling,” Tamara shared. “It’s a domino effect. We walk away with gratitude knowing someone out there is thriving and getting to live because of Olivia. If I could share one thing with our community, it would be that we can affect others in a good way, just by making that decision when the time comes.”
More than 800 people across Oklahoma and over 100,000 across the country need a lifesaving transplant. Donor heroes like Olivia give those in greatest need a chance to live happy, healthy lives with their families.
February 14 is National Donor Day. You can be a hero today and inspire hope for those waiting by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareRegistry.org and sharing your decision with your family.
