When you experience a moment when the spark of life itself is threatened, the lucky can fight through and come out the other side, a person with new found goals and values at the heart of what they do.
Olivia Markey, the latest BD/Drogheda and District Chamber ‘Community Champion’ epitomises that ‘second chance at life’ individual who makes a difference to her community, every day of the week.
In January 2023, Olivia was in full flow, hosting her ever popular ‘Livyfit’ classes in Rathmullen when she suddenly collapsed. Her seizure came out of the blue and members of the class and local firefighters came to her aid before she was taken to hospital.
“I could feel my power going on one side of my body just before I had the seizure,” she states. She had suffered a CVST (Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis) blood clot on the brain at the back of her head.
After treatment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, she had to undergo all the checks, admitting, “I was one of the lucky ones who survived it and came out of it without any complications and I am delighted to be able to spread awareness,” she states.
“I have experienced how hard it is to juggle the warfarin lifestyle, and that was without any complications. The life of thrombosis patients must live is not easy, and the more awareness is spread, the more lives that can be saved.”
A big music and fitness fan, Olivia launched her Livyfit Lip Sync Show last year in The Marcy and it raised over €6,000.
It’s back again on October 10th at The Marcy where Olivia will take to the stage as Diana Ross before a line up of willing contestants take on classics from Shania to Oasis. It’s all in aid of thrombosis awareness at the Irish Heart Foundation and tickets are on sale.
“Olivia is a true community champion and a richly deserving recipient for all she does,” chamber CEO, Hubert Murphy, stated. “The support from BD with these awards is invaluable and recognises so many great people and causes who help make up our wonderful community.”