The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered a ukulele to Annie at the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL on Friday, May 24, 2019. Annie is 16 years old and was accompanied at the hospital by her mother, Rory. They live in Grayslake, IL and travel to Chicago to receive treatment for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), a soft tissue cancer that Annie was diagnosed with last year.
Annie is a lovely, family-oriented young lady with a quick smile who enjoys art and has recently taken an interest in the ukulele. She is a fan of Australian recording artist, Vance Joy, who plays the ukulele on several his hits which she hopes to learn to play. Annie’s plans are to finish high school and continue her studies in college. She is also thinking of becoming a Child Life Specialist (CLS) to help other children similar to her situation. She has seen the importance of the work of a CLS in assisting her cope with her own illness and wants to work in something equally important and rewarding in her future.
We well understand how having a life-threatening illness affecting you or a loved one changes your perspective on the world. Alyssa’s illness changed ours and her inspiration motivates us to improve the lives of health-challenged youths by providing them with tools for the creation of art and music.
It was a pleasure for us to meet Annie and her Mom, Rory.We wish Annie all the best and are grateful to have been able to give her joy in honor our daughter, Alyssa.
