The lemon-size tumor inside 9-year-old Bolivar resident Olivia Jones’ brain was causing seizures.

Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Sanford told Olivia’s parents that he could remove the tumor, but that it was a risky procedure and she might experience problems like impaired speech as a result.

So the Jones family decided to enjoy one last family vacation together, not knowing if their little girl would ever enjoy playing on the beach again.

Today, Olivia is a healthy, active third-grader – and one more success story that’s drawing regional and national attention to Le Bonheur Children Medical Center’s neurological programs.

“Without Le Bonheur I might not have my little girl,” said Jenny Jones, Olivia’s mom. “They saved her life more than once, and when I think of what the outcome could have been, I’m more than grateful.”

Olivia’s story was so special that she was one of 15 children selected to be part of a new series of advertisements supporting Le Bonheur. For one day last August, Olivia felt like a movie star.

“She felt so special that day. She got her hair and make-up done. All the attention was focused on her,” Olivia’s mother, Jenny Jones said. “She’s told everyone that she was chosen to help raise money for Le Bonheur.”

Olivia tells everyone she meets that she loves Le Bonheur, the hospital that saved her life.

Click here to see Olivia's shining performance in the new television ads.

Olivia started having seizures when she was 5 years old, and doctors found that lemon-size tumor in her brain that was causing the seizures. In July 2003, her doctor sent her to the Neuroscience Institute at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis.

That’s where she met pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Sanford, and heard about the risky procedure needed to remove the tumor.

“We were scared to death. You don’t know if you’re going to bring your kid home,” Jenny said.

“If you know my little girl, she talks nonstop. If that was taken away, she wouldn’t have been the same,” Jenny said.

After their family vacation, the Jones family returned to Memphis and put Olivia in Dr. Sanford’s hands. Surgery went very well and Dr. Sanford removed the tumor. But a month later, Olivia suffered a mini-stroke and spent two more weeks at Le Bonheur so she could be monitored. It wasn’t difficult to convince Olivia that she needed to go back to the hospital, her mother says. Olivia loves Le Bonheur. During her two weeks observation, Olivia was part of the annual radiothon. She watched movies with other patients and made crafts in the Child Life area.

“I can’t put into words how phenomenal Le Bonheur is. They gave me back my little girl. Everyone from the doctors and nurses to the housekeeping and dietary staff were wonderful. “Everyone was so attentive to Olivia. The dietitians would say, ‘Olivia do you want Sprite today or apple juice like you had yesterday?’” Jenny said.

Olivia is now a healthy and active third-grade student at Bolivar Elementary. She likes to ride her bike, play video games, color and draw. As a result of the tumor, she has epilepsy. She continues to visit Dr. James Wheless at Le Bonheur for MRIs and check-ups. It’s been a year since Olivia’s been admitted to the hospital.

The advertising campaign Olivia is in was created to ask the public to support Le Bonheur’s efforts in building a new state-of-the-art children’s hospital. The goal of the capital campaign is to raise $100 million in corporate and private donations to help fund a nearly 1,000,000 square foot facility expansion project. Click here to watch Olivia's ads and find out how you can help build a New Le Bonheur for our kids.

You can support Olivia and other kids who are saved by Le Bonheur by contributing to the Campaign to Build a New Le Bonheur.  Click here for more information about how you can make a difference in the lives of kids.

Click Here to read about more children who have benefited from Le Bonheur's excellent care.