Annika Joy Olivo was many things - a wife, a mother, an elementary school counselor, a daughter, a sister, and a wonderful friend. She was also a cancer survivor.

Annika was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in December 2021. She found a lump while breastfeeding her then five-month-old. She was initially assured she had a plugged milk duct, but no remedies worked. She continued to contact her doctor’s office until she was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound.

While not visible on a mammogram, the ultrasound and subsequent biopsy determined she had breast cancer. Further scans revealed it had spread to her lymph nodes and a small spot in her liver.

Throughout her cancer journey, there were a lot of ups and downs, and she bravely shared the insights of her journey with those around her. A few of the messages were:

1. Always advocate for yourself and your own health. No one else can do that for you. 
2. There’s always room for hope — even in a cancer nightmare.
3. Love your people well. In her opinion, it’s all about the people you love.
4. There is life (and a JOYFUL one!) after a cancer diagnosis, and for that, she was always grateful.

In January 2025, Annika, Kalin, and their son Walter took a “Hope Getaway” on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas that was gifted to Annika through B the Light. They had an amazing time, creating core memories together that Walter will never forget.

Annika passed away in April 2025 after a three-year battle with breast cancer.

It was so important to Annika to have her advocacy and legacy live on, so that other women who receive a stage 4 diagnosis know there is hope and joy to come.

She said that many of the happiest moments of her life had taken place post-cancer diagnosis. That was something she thought impossible when she first heard “you have cancer.” But life went on, and good things happened, many of them! So, despite any setbacks, she always envisioned a lot of happiness ahead.

Annika's journey with B the Light was filled with connection, support, and purpose. She participated in Cooking Beyond Cancer, ReLight Retreats, and Hope Huddles. With unwavering dedication, Annika helped advocate for the creation of a metastatic support group - an effort completed shortly before her passing. In her honor, this group will now carry the name Finding Joy.

To carry Annika’s legacy forward and ensure others receive the same light, support, and connection she did, her family invites you to make a gift directly to B the Light.  The first $5,000 raised will sponsor a Hope Getaway for a stage 4 metastatic breast cancer survivor. Additional funds will help sustain and grow the other programs that meant so much to Annika—offering hope, community, and care to those navigating a breast cancer diagnosis.

We will continue working in the coming months to establish a dedicated legacy fund in Annika’s name through B the Light. We invite you to continue watching for updates as this meaningful work unfolds.