Rockland Community Throws 'No More Chemo' Party for Local Young Girl

Art Adventure and several other businesses in Rockland County, NY, threw a free party for 3-year-old Gabi Olivo to celebrate the end of her chemotherapy treatments.

On June 7, at Art Adventure in Orangeburg, a colorful party was underway. Balloon towers, dancing, arts and crafts, and a towering cake filled the art studio, awaiting the guest of honor, a tiny girl named Gabi.

It may sound like a typical 4-year-old birthday party, but Gabrielle “Gabi” Olivo was celebrating a different milestone: the end of her chemotherapy treatments. Last summer, just before her third birthday, Gabi went from typical almost-3-year-old who loved all things Dora the Explorer and princesses to a child diagnosed with a deadly disease—stage 4 neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of nerve cancer that affects only children.

After diagnosis, Gabi underwent two surgeries, a stem-cell transplant, radiation, and six rounds of chemotherapy treatments, which she finished earlier this year. The party at Art Adventure—which was given at no cost to Gabi’s family—was at first dubbed a “No Mo Chemo” celebration, but later renamed simply as a “Yay Gabi” party, to celebrate this brave young girl.

Along with Art Adventure, several local businesses pitched in to help make the celebration special. Confetti Party Decorating in Valley Cottage provided the balloon towers, a balloon likeness of Cinderella, and a balloon wand for Gabi to carry around the party. Colleen Kirby of My Sweet Thyme in Airmont donated chocolate chip cookies, while Gilda Burke from Jolirose Cake Shop in Nyack created a towering, many-tiered cake decorated with Gabi’s two passions: princesses and Dora. Custom giant banners were donated by Creations by Dawne, Treasures by Teresa Ann created custom light blocks, and Pearl River’s Dance Central donated free dance classes for the party. Photographer Migdalia Valdes also donated her time to capture the party in pictures.

To raise awareness about neuroblastoma and help raise funds for research, Gabi and family founded the Gabi’s Gold Foundation. To learn more or to donate, visit gofundme.com/4nmdlg. For updates on Gabi’s progress, follow her page on Facebook.