Fernando is a 19 year old who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on June 2014 when he was finishing up his Junior year at North Town Academy in Chicago. Fernando lives with his family on the north side of Chicago. He has received his chemo treatments at Northwestern Hospital and was in remission until he relapsed in July of 2016. Fernando will be undergoing a stem cell transplant at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
When Fernando was hospitalized at Lurie Children’s Hospital, he heard about Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope through Willow Messier who was also Alyssa’s Art Therapist. Fernando submitted his request in December through the AAFH website.
Fernando likes to draw, knit and especially paint on canvas with acrylic colors.
On January 12th, Yoli (AAFH President) and Tim (volunteer) arrived at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to meet Willow and deliver more of Alyssa SAKs. Willow shared with Tim Alyssa's love for the arts. Tim also had a chance to see Alyssa's geisha collage art piece on the 12th floor.
Willow, Tim and Yoli surprised Fernando with his gift of professional art material which included Copic markers, varies size canvases and the big thick gray yarn he had requested. Fernando is really happy to receive his gifts before his stem cell transplant.
Fernando is looking forward to using his art supplies to paint on canvas to create some art work and to make a blanket with his new yarn.
We pray for a successful stem cell transplant for Fernando and that he enjoys the new professional art materials while he is at the hospital.
