Happy 8th Birthday, Olivia Rae! Dear Family, Friends, &amp; Donators, This year Olivia Rae Vargas's turns eight! For her birthday, her gift is to donate $8,000.00 to the <a href="http://www.ccakids.org" target="_blank">Children's Craniofacial Association</a> , 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 &amp; 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.  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/8967337_1456843203.67_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> 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 &amp; will be acknowledged. Thank you for your consideration. <iframe media_type="2" media_id="49959214" class="youtube-replace" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/49959214" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen style="margin-bottom:20px"></iframe> Olivia Rae's Story <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/8967337_1455125722.7954_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />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 &amp; Michael Vargas Jr. Parents of Olivia Rae Vargas <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/8967337_1455130219.3494_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" />

Donna Badilla

Scott Cornhill

Bruce Kish

Geri Gitto

Anonymous

Jennifer guarino

Bob Sorbanelli

Ken Freeman

Nick Mirandi

Gary Miczak

Jonathan Behn

Scott & Josie Santoro

The Ziegenbalgs 

Greg Boadwine

Timothy King

Marcos  Vargas III

John  Goins

Nick  Sayre 

Christine Beardslee

James  Boyd

Olivia Rae's 8th Birthday for CCA

Olivia Rae's 8th Birthday for CCA

Still $2,697 to go. Help us build momentum.