At just 13 years old, Olive Mitchell's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in December 2021, Olive faced a challenging battle that culminated in a bone marrow transplant in March 2022. While her cancer went into remission, she encountered complications that led to chronic graft-versus-host disease, a condition where the transplanted cells attack her existing cells. This ongoing health challenge has shaped Olive's life, but it does not define her.
Olive is not just a cancer survivor; she is an inspiring young artist with an incredible gift. A self-taught artist, Olive began her art journey learning how to draw cute animals and characters from YouTube tutorials, from which she learned the basics. From there on, Olive’s imagination took the reins, and she began drawing magical castles and towers, leaving her friends and family in awe. “She blows everybody's mind when she shows them her work,” Lauren Mitchell, Olive’s mother, shared.
Olive began taking lessons from her favorite art teacher from the local art center, Ms. Katie. Ms. Katie would come over to the Mitchell’s house and do lessons when Olive could not attend school, drawing and painting. Olive’s passion for art did not stop at lessons, her drive and passion for art drove her to continue practicing on her own, a true artist honing her craft.
As a Victory Kid in June, she was honored during a Sporting KC vs. Austin FC match, making a lasting impression on the club. The Mitchell family joined Sporting KC players at training where Olive enjoyed her time collecting balls, meeting the players, and watching training. The whole weekend was a fun getaway for the family, where Olive and her siblings got to have fun at the Great Wolf Lodge, Training and then the Match, While all of it was memorable, Lauren, Olive’s mother, recounted how Sporting KC’s Assistant Equipment Manager Sammy Jaksen left a lasting impression on the family, noting it as one of the many highlights of their weekend that they still talk about.
After her weekend with Sporting, Olive felt inspired, and shortly after, the team received some drawings from her, including a beautiful and life-like drawing of Defender Robert Castellanos. After receiving the drawing Castellanos shared that he would be putting the drawing at his locker at Compass Minerals National Performance Center. Olive was gracious enough to share her art with Sporting a second time when she drew a portrait of Children’s Mercy Park. That portrait was auctioned at the Victory Project's annual Kick N’ Fits gala. Olive’s role as auctioneer was a remarkable moment, as she raised an astounding $50,000 to support future Victory Honorees.
Through all her accomplishments, Olive remains steadfast in her desire to not be defined by her health struggles. “I want to be known for my art, not for my health condition,” she expresses, showcasing her resilience and determination to carve her own identity. With a vibrant spirit and unwavering ambition, Olive has set her sights on attending art college, excitedly saving money to invest in her future.
“I just want to go do things,” Olive has said, yearning for experiences that inspire her. This determined spirit prompted the Mitchell family to create a list of activities that motivate and excite Olive rather than a traditional bucket list. With each moment, Olive embraces life’s possibilities, eager to explore what lies ahead.
“Everybody that meets her knows that she’s so special, and she has a lot of love to give,” Lauren shares, beaming with pride. “She just has a gift that radiates from her.”
Olive Mitchell is not just an artist; she is a source of light and inspiration, reminding us all to pursue our passions, embrace our uniqueness, and draw up a future filled with hope and creativity.
