The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held a Music Night at the RMH near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, IL on Tuesday, August 27, 2019. We brought various drums and percussion instruments for the patients and their family members to play.
While setting up, a previous gift recipient of AAFH and current patient at the Chicago Proton Center, Tristan, began playing the piano at the RMH beautifully. Since we delivered Tristan his violin three weeks ago, he has been hospitalized at CDH for severe pain he has experienced from his radiation treatments at the Proton Center. Due to this he has not had the chance to begin learning how to play his new violin. He is feeling better now and looking forward to playing the violin.
AAFH also made a donation of 10 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) that include journals, drawing kits, acrylic and adult coloring books. Jason Chantley, the Live-in-House Manager at RMH, received the Alyssa SAKs and shared with us his involvement with RMH. He told the story of his best friend who, as a young teenager, stayed at an RMH during his cancer treatments. When his friend passed, Jason remembered how the House was a welcome and caring place for his friend.
Jason’s story is an inspiration to all of us. Despite the loss of his best friend, he found a way to help others through his work at the RMH. We are grateful to the caregivers we meet while fulfilling the mission of Alyssa’s Foundation. Together, we are making a difference by bringing joy and hope to young patients and their families during difficult times.
