When Livie Smart was 14, her life changed in an instant. A leukemia diagnosis led to months of chemotherapy, but after nearly a year of treatment, the approach stopped working. Her doctors turned to a bone marrow transplant, a decision that would connect Livie with a stranger hundreds of miles away and ultimately save her life.
That journey is why Livie, now 17 and in full remission, has been named the 2025 Festival of Trees Patient Champion. Her story stands at the heart of this year’s event, which opens Wednesday at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy and raises funds for Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital.
A Life-Saving Match From Across the Country
At the same time Livie was facing her diagnosis, a college student on the East Coast attended a football game and noticed a booth offering free bone marrow donor registration. She swabbed her cheek and joined the national registry—never knowing she would soon be matched with a teenager in Utah.
Months later, she learned she was the match Livie desperately needed. She was flown to Chicago, where she donated blood stem cells through a simple outpatient procedure. Her donation became Livie’s chance at survival.
“So football does save lives,” joked Livie’s father, Tony Smart.
Livie became the first patient at Primary Children’s Hospital to undergo a transplant using a newer technique called alpha/beta T-cell depletion, which reduces complications and speeds recovery. Today, she takes no medications for leukemia and is living a full, healthy life.
The Girl at the Heart of the Festival
As this year’s patient champion, Livie represents the children and families who benefit from the Festival of Trees. Organizers describe the role as the emotional centerpiece of the event.
“We chose her because of her experience, her strength and because she was the first patient here to receive this treatment,” said volunteer co-chair Dana Hussey. “She’s a pioneer in every sense.”
During a preview tour on Tuesday, Livie saw two beautifully decorated Christmas trees created in her honor, each paired with a basket filled with her favorite items. The display will be auctioned to support hospital programs.
Just steps away sits a new booth inspired by Livie’s story. For the first time, festival visitors ages 18 to 35 can register as potential bone marrow donors through the National Marrow Donor Program. It’s the same registry that matched Livie with her donor.
“It’s so easy to save someone’s life,” Livie said. “Most donations are just a simple blood draw. I didn’t know my donor, but she saved me. I want to help other people have that chance.”
Giving Back Through Donation Awareness
For the Smart family, the donor booth is a meaningful way to “pay it forward.”
Tony Smart said families like theirs rely on the generosity of strangers. “We can’t manufacture stem cells. It has to come from someone willing to give. We were lucky to find a match.”
The family hopes more people will become donors so others in need can get the same life-changing call they received.
What Visitors Will See at This Year’s Festival
This week, the Mountain America Expo Center has transformed into a holiday wonderland filled with Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, quilts and handcrafted decorations from communities across Utah and neighboring states.
Festival highlights include:
- Dozens of one-of-a-kind themed trees
- Intricately designed gingerbread creations
- Wreaths, quilts and collectibles up for auction
- Special trees dedicated to children who have passed away
- Thousands of twinkling lights and holiday scents
“You walk in and see lights everywhere, smell cinnamon rolls and scones, and feel this incredible holiday energy,” Hussey said. “There truly is something for everyone.”
Every dollar raised goes directly to Primary Children’s Hospital, supporting medical treatments, equipment and programs for families facing serious illness.
Festival of Trees 2025: Dates and Admission
Location: Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy
Dates:
- Wednesday, Dec. 3: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 4: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 5: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 6: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission Prices:
- Adults: $10
- Children (2–11): $7
- Seniors (65+): $8
- Children under 2: Free
- Family Pass (2 adults + 4 children): $40
As Livie prepares to greet visitors this week, she hopes her journey encourages others to consider joining the registry and becoming a donor.
“She was able to save my life,” Livie said. “I want to help someone else have that same miracle.”
