"Olivia Smiles"

Birmingham Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Rick Brasfield’s granddaughter has a rare bone disease that she has been fighting since 2007. Her family is about to incur some medical expenses that her insurance company does not cover. Please read the story of Olivia below and consider helping in any way you can.

Olivia Dearman is a beautiful 14 year old who was diagnosed in June, 2007 with an extremely rare bone tumor (Desmoplastic Fibroma). Since the discovery of the tumor Olivia has undergone four major surgeries in Birmingham and at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. The surgeries required the removal of a large portion of bone, including the jaw bone and teeth, on the left side of her face. Reconstructive surgery was conducted in November 2009 and she now faces yet another reconstructive surgery followed by implant surgery to replace her teeth.

The insurance company has covered all the surgeries but has denied coverage for the implant surgery. Olivia's parents are now facing surgical and hospital cost in excess of an estimated $60,000. A fund, "Olivia Smiles" has been established in order to assist in meeting these ever rising costs. If you would like to contribute please send your donations to:

"Olivia Smiles"
Westmont Baptist Church
C/O Brenda Brasfield
PO Box 757
Pleasant Grove, AL 35127

Also, many of the surrounding fire departments in the Birmingham area are selling raffle tickets ($20 each) for a chance on winning a pair of tickets to the 2010 Alabama/Auburn game. These tickets are between the 45 and 50 yard line in section U3K on the west side of Bryant Denny Stadium.  If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket(s), please contact Deputy Chief Brasfield at 254-2894 or Renita Hill at 254-7770.