Everyone heard her roar. The girl who sang Katy Perry's girl power anthem 'Roar' just months before her death did what most of us can not achieve in our whole lives. You may have heard of Olivia Wise.
This beautiful sixteen year old brunette was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor, which was discovered in January 2012 after she had a seizure. The teenager refused to let her diagnosis get her down, and realized her dream of going into a recording studio to cover Perry's uplifting song.
"I got the eye of a tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire / 'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar," wheelchair bound Wise sang in a soft, angelic voice despite of being short of breath. Posted in early October on YouTube, the video went viral overnight with views shooting up to more than 1 million times in a very short time.
(see her cover here: Roaring Girl)
The video made its way to pop singer Katy Perry herself who responded in the form of a heartwarming video. Perry seemed very inspired by Olivia's version of 'Roar'.
"I was very moved and you sounded great," Perry said in her clip. "I love you. A lot of people love you, and that's why your video got to me. It moved everybody that saw it. Keep roaring!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Q9VBkaNIQ
Wise remained optimistic throughout her ordeal, her mother told CNN. "In many ways, Olivia has lived a shortened, but full life," she said. "Every day, she wished for a cure, and rarely succumbed to negative thoughts."
Her condition did not dampen her desire to be an inspiration for her family, friends and people across the world. She wanted the funds generated from the video to be used as a support to brain tumor research through the Liv Wise Fund. So far, more than $115,000 has been raised in Wise's name for cancer research and to support children living with brain tumors.
"She died peacefully in her home surrounded by the extraordinary love of her family," her family wrote in a statement to CNN, adding that she didn't want people to cry at her funeral, but instead asked that they celebrate her life. However, it is hard not to cry for a remarkable and brave girl like her who in her suffering left us all with the inspirational message to live with dignity. Olivia taught us all to cherish each and every moment of this short life.
Katy Perry tweeted a lovely message after hearing about Olivia's death:
"Olivia Wise, I can hear you singing with the angels now. Your spirit and strength has inspired me and so many others. May you rest in peace."
The memorial page dedicated to her speaks volumes about the strength of her soul with which she managed to touch so many lives across the world.
Let the Wise family know you are with them during this hard time by paying tribute to the strong beautiful Olivia on this page:
http://www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca/MemorialBook.aspx?snum=130167&sid=153423