Discovering Medfield

Discovering the Strength and Support of the Medfield Community

The town of Medfield came together to support the family of a Wheelock third grader, Olivia Bonfilio, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. The family's medical bills are now over $1 million.

The month of May was a busy one for Olivia Bonfilio.  The nine-year old student at Wheelock Elementary School – where she is known for her big beautiful eyes and glowing smile – was honored by the Boston Red Sox, was a guest of honor at the PMC 2011 Kids Ride, was the benefactor of the “Walk for Olivia,” and was featured on FOX25 news. Olivia has been battling a rare form of leukemia since Thanksgiving.  According to her family, one week before her ninth birthday, Olivia was taken to the doctor after she lost a tooth that would not clot. She was soon rushed to Children's Hospital in Boston where she was diagnosed with a rare form of acute promyelocytic leukemia. She was in the hospital for six months and came home in …

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Over 700 People 'Walk for Olivia'

The May 22 walk-a-thon to support Olivia Bonfilio and her family as she battles leukemia was a huge success and a true inspiration. Here are scenes from the day.

A single photograph often tells a story. Here's our look through the Viewfinder at Sunday's "Walk for Olivia" walk-a-thon held at the Medfield High School track to support nine-year-old Olivia Bonfilio and her family as she battles a rare form of leukemia.  "The 'Walk for Olivia' was a huge success," said Kathleen Kelley Bonfilio. "Our guest of honor, Olivia, was able to be there with her parents Al and Lauri Bonfiio from Medfield. Sitting at the reception table, I was able to get an estimated count of people coming or just dropping off a donation and that [number was] over 700 people. Truly amazing and inspiring. The rain held back and the walk was fantastic." What others said about Sunday's event for Olivia: "It was great," said Luanne …

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Olivia Bonfilio's Strength Inspires Medfield Community to Show Support

Olivia, 9, was diagnosed with Leukemia in November. Her battle since has been nothing short of courageous and inspirational - inspiring her Medfield community to help out and show support.

Over the last six months, friends and neighbors of all ages have been coming together to show their support for the family of Olivia Bonfilio, a nine-year old third grade student at Ralph Wheelock School in Medfield, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in November. On May 22, they will have a chance to participate in a 3K walk-a-thon to help raise money for the family to pay their mounting medical bills. “It’s about $1 million that they owe because Olivia’s been in Children’s Hospital for the last six months, and six weeks of that was in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Kathleen Kelley Bonfilio, one of Olivia’s three aunts who are organizing the “Walk for Olivia” walk-a-thon to be held at Medfield High School. Olivia is the …

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Put on Your Walking Shoes and Walk for Olivia at Medfield High School

Walk for a great cause to help Olivia Bonfilio and her family as Olivia battles a rare form of APML Leukemia. The walk will be held at Medfield High School on May 22 at 11 a.m.

Put on your walking shoes and "Walk for Olivia" for a great cause to be held at Medfield High School's track on Sunday, May 22 at 11 a.m. Olivia Anne Bonfilio was born on Nov. 13, 2001, one day after her father's birthday. She came into this world as most infants do - crying and her arms and legs kicking.  She was greeted by her mom, Lauri (Lyman), her father, Alfred, her stepbrother, Jared, and her brother, Alfred IV, and has lived in Medfield her entire life. "Livie" started school in Medfield at age five and did all the things that little girls do; She was a Girl Scout Brownie, danced, played soccer, and rough-housed with her brothers. Upon starting the third grade with her fellow classmates, no one was to know that in just two short …

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