Children's Craniofacial Association

It's that time of year....Lentil's Birthday!! Each year, we try to give back on his special day and donate to a cause that's very dear to our hearts. The official "Chews Kind" Ambassadog needs your help to celebrate in a big way!

June will be the 5th CCA Kids Retreat that we will be attending. It's been amazing growing up with these special kids and their families - and oh, my how they have grown! In the past, we've raised funds to send families to Retreat, but this year- we wanted to change it up a bit....

We are hoping to assist CCA with funding to develop new activities for adults and older teens that attend Retreat. It's so important for the younger children to grow up and have positive role models that they can meet and develop relationships with who can help them through any tough times that may have. In the past, Retreat focused events for the younger children, but these kids are growing up and so CCA must expand the offerings - that's where we come in, gang! To help to ensure that the older teens and adults feel just as important and continue to look forward to attending Retreats, this year's funds will go directly to support special events and seminars to support them. CCA is predicting that there will be 50 new families in attendance plus about 100 returning families! It's going to be HUGE and there are some great activities in the works - we can't wait to let you know more! Please give to help us make this Retreat the biggest and best one yet!

Happy 8th Birthday, Olivia Rae!

Dear Family, Friends, & Donators,

This year Olivia Rae Vargas's turns eight! For her birthday, her gift is to donate $8,000.00 to the Children's Craniofacial Association , a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. CCA addresses the medical, financial, psychosocial, emotional, and educational concerns relating to craniofacial conditions. Yes, like our very own Olivia Rae!

This past year our family attended our first Annual Family Retreat & Educational Symposium in Newport Beach, CA. The retreat is held each June to provide individuals affected by a facial difference, their siblings and parents an opportunity to interact with others who have endured similar experiences. The unique weekend retreat allows them to share ideas, problems and solutions and make long-lasting friendships. The format of this weekend allows time to build new relationships and bonds of understanding and caring, which will lend support through both difficult and good times in the future. The weekend begins with a one-day educational symposium followed by visiting local attractions with plenty of time for adults to interact and kids to play.
 


It’s a time where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look!

We need your help to insure that people like Olivia are able to continue their ongoing care. It would be an honor on behalf of Olivia 's 8th Birthday if you would please consider Children's Craniofacial Association as a charity organization worthy to receive your donation.

~If you prefer to send a check rather than use this link,
please mail to: Children's Craniofacial Association
                                13140 Coit Road, Suite 517
                                 Dallas, TX 75240  

Check Payable: Children's Craniofacial Association
Check Memo: Olivia Rae Vargas

All donations are tax deductible & will be acknowledged.


Thank you for your consideration.


Olivia Rae's Story
Born February 11, 2008, Olivia Rae Vargas was diagnosed with Treacher Collins Syndrome, (TCS), a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial differences.  Although the physical appearance is the most common noticeable feature among many, people who have craniofacial anomalies require just as much internal medical treatment, if not more.  Due to craniofacial deformities alone, Olivia has been treated by the following specialists: Plastic Reconstruction, Otolaryngology, Audiology, Ophthalmology, Oral Dentistry, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Genetics, Psychology Services, General Anesthesiology, Pain Management, Neuropsychology, Feeding therapy, Speech therapy, Nursing and many more.

At 18 months, we thought we lost our Olivia as she was unresponsive just short of 2 hours. In summer of 2009, we lived by her side in ICU for 2 months. By the time Olivia was 3 years old she had spent 1/3 of her life inpatient in hospitals. To date Olivia has undergone 15 major surgeries and 4 are scheduled this coming year. If you think that’s a lot, most children who particularly suffer from TCS, have undergone 30 to 40 surgeries on average by the time they are 8 years old.

Olivia's first surgery is scheduled for February 16th. We ask that you keep her in your prayers.

Warmest Regards,

Suzanne Ashby & Michael Vargas Jr.
Parents of Olivia Rae Vargas

Lentil's 3rd Birthday is quickly approaching and we thought there is no better way to share a Birthday, than sharing with others!  
The CCA Kids Retreat is a weekend that we look forward to every year.  We are so honored to be able to share this special time with the children and their families.  This year, we are hoping to raise funds to assist new families in joining in on the fun!  
The 2016 Retreat will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fl....and we hope that we will be able to see some new smiles this year!  Let's do this, Team Lentil!  Just $1 from each of us would add up and help us to even exceed our goal!