On May 26, 2019, Jasmine celebrated her 18th birthday while at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (Lurie). In April 2019, Jasmine was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal white and red blood cells. Jasmine is receiving chemo treatments at Lurie while staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s to avoid the long drive from Rockford, IL, her hometown.
Jasmine heard of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) through Willow Messier, Art Therapist at Lurie. Willow also worked with Alyssa while she was a patient there too.
Jasmine’s mom, Theresa, accompanies Jasmine when she has her appointments at Lurie . She shared with us good news that Jasmine has been admitted to the Milwaukee Art School to pursue her art career.
On Monday, May 27, 2019, Daniel (Alyssa’s cousin) and Krysta Rojas arrived at Lurie to deliver Jasmine’s art gift consisting of Copic markers, Copic art paper and a Copic markers case. Jasmine was very happy to receive the Copic markers she had requested and the other accessories accompanying the markers. Jasmine expressed she couldn’t wait to begin drawing with her Copic markers.
It was a great pleasure to have met Jasmine and her mom as it is when we meet other young adults who share Alyssa’s love of art.
