Pizza Ranch in KC to Fundraise for Baby with Life-Threatening Liver Disease

A Community Comes Together for Olivia Dildine

A local restaurant in Independence is organizing a special fundraiser to support an 8-month-old baby girl battling a rare liver disease. The event, hosted by Pizza Ranch, will take place on July 22 and aims to raise critical funds for the family of Olivia Dildine, who was diagnosed with biliary atresia just three weeks after she was born.

Biliary atresia is a condition that causes the bile ducts to become blocked, leading to a buildup of bile in the liver and potential long-term damage. According to medical resources, this condition affects approximately one in 12,000 babies in the United States. Olivia has already undergone major surgery, but her condition has continued to worsen, requiring a liver transplant to give her a chance at a healthier future.

Olivia’s parents, Preston Dildine and Ciera Chronister, have been through a lot since her diagnosis. They have spent nearly nine weeks in the hospital over the past eight months, dealing with frequent visits and ongoing medical care. The family is currently working to get Olivia approved for a transplant, while also trying to cover the costs associated with her treatment, including copays, travel, prescriptions, and daily living expenses.

Ciera plans to take a leave of absence from her job to focus on caring for Olivia full-time as they face the challenges ahead. To help support their efforts, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist with these financial burdens.

A Special Night at Pizza Ranch

On July 22, Pizza Ranch will be holding a unique fundraiser for Olivia. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 15% of all sales during that time will go directly to the family. Patrons are encouraged to mention they are there for Olivia when they make their purchases. Additionally, members of the community will be volunteering their time, helping to clean tables and refill drinks. They will also be able to keep any cash tips they receive.

Chaylie McCloud, associate general manager at Pizza Ranch, shared that the idea for the fundraiser came from a call from a family friend. After learning about Olivia's situation, the team at Pizza Ranch quickly decided to get involved. “My heart just totally goes out to this family,” McCloud said. “That’s honestly, like, why I was just like, we’ve absolutely, we have to figure out how to do this.”

Pizza Ranch is no stranger to community involvement. The restaurant often hosts events for local organizations, sports teams, and other causes. For McCloud, giving back is an essential part of what the business stands for. “We’re not just pizza and fried chicken. We’re so much more,” she said.

Family Support and Hope

Olivia is the youngest of four daughters—Jaelinn, Bella, and Paislee, who are 16, 13, and 9 years old respectively. The entire family has come together to support Olivia through her medical journey. Jaelinn, Bella, and Paislee will be helping out at the fundraiser by busking tables, showing their commitment to their sister.

Preston described the importance of family unity during this difficult time. “Just us sticking together and, you know, talking through it and being there to support one another has been our biggest thing,” he said. “Keep our quality of life as a family as high as we can. And then, you know, the girls’ lives as normal as possible.”

Despite her health challenges, Olivia continues to show her personality and spirit. She is a playful and affectionate baby who loves to crawl, laugh, and be with her father. “She’s a normal baby that wants to play and crawl around and roll around and laugh and hang on to her dad,” Preston said. “Other than her yellowing skin and yellow eyes, you would never know.”

Olivia’s first word was “Dad,” and she has developed a strong bond with her father. “I have to sneak in and sneak out of rooms sometimes so I can do what I need to do and she doesn’t just cry for me all the time,” he joked.

Looking Ahead

The liver transplant is just the first step in Olivia’s recovery journey. After the procedure, she will require extensive hospital care and will need to take over ten medications regularly. However, if the transplant is successful, there is hope that Olivia could lead a somewhat normal life.

McCloud hopes the event will draw a large crowd and is excited about the support the community has shown. “I’m hoping and praying that we have lines that wrap around my building,” she said. “I really hope people turn out for this.”

As the family prepares for the next phase of Olivia’s treatment, the support from Pizza Ranch and the community offers a glimmer of hope and strength. Their collective efforts remind everyone that even in the darkest times, love and compassion can make a difference.