The Gift of Music by Kevin Cervantes

We’ve been successfully collecting musical instruments to give to kids and young adults with cancer. Also, we have students from Geneva High School and music professionals volunteering to give the kids free music lessons at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago!

I can already imagine the beautiful music that will be created by these young cancer patients.  I can imagine them pressing piano keys, strumming guitar strings and tapping on the drums to create songs of their own.

The beauty of music is that we can make it about our own experience. We like to listen to different types of music depending on our mood. For example, everyone has a happy and up-beat song that feels like a fresh breeze and a ray of sunshine. In contrast, everyone has a sad song to make us feel the storms within and the rainclouds above. Sometimes, music even brings out emotions that we don’t understand. It can transport us from one moment to another. It can carry us through our deepest and darkest times to reminds us that melodies can manage our fears and lyrics can soothe our wounds.

Because of the powerful emotions that can come from music, we want to give cancer patients the opportunity to create their own masterpieces. Music can tell stories. Music can inspire. Most importantly, music brings happiness.

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope believes in the healing power of music and art.

It’s amazing to see people and organizations believe in our mission! Look at the beautiful instruments we received from kind-hearted individuals:

Thank you for helping us Give Hope.

-Kevin Cervantes

You can help us give the Gift of Music today! To donate funds, musical instruments, and art supplies please visit our website:

www.alyssaalvinfoundationforhope.org/donate

Not pictured: the guitar we'll be giving on April 18 at our Benefit Concert. It's a surprise!

Hang on to Hope, Emmett. by Kevin Cervantes

Today, we made brunch at the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield for families with children who are being treated at Central DuPage Hospital. The Ronald McDonald House provides a ‘home away from home’ for families staying as guests for extended periods of time.

The house was truly a magnificent place with high ceilings, hardwood floors, game rooms, shelves of books and a fireplace. It was a grand building located next to Central Du Page Hospital, where the kids of families are being treated for various illnesses.

This time, it was our turn to give back to an organization that welcomed Alyssa’s family with open arms when she was going through cancer treatments at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

During our meal prep, the kitchen was busy with volunteers cooking different types of breakfast foods. The busyness paused for a quick second when a little boy wearing a Superman beanie walked into the room. All eyes and smiles were on him.

Emmett stomped his blue light-up sneakers towards the kitchen island, eyeing the different foods we made: pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, hash browns, fresh fruits, and more. He reminded me of some of the kids I used to see downtown when I visited my girlfriend Alyssa.

Emmett was a shy little boy from South Dakota with a form of sarcoma near his right eye. I didn’t get to talk to him much, just a simple smile and hello. However, I was able to share a conversation with Emmett’s father Chad. He was a tall tattooed man with a friendly demeanor. We connected on the idea of getting tattooed since I am also tattooed.

In the minutes that we spent talking, I learned that Chad was a bull-rider when he was younger. Bull riding is a rodeo sport, which involves a rider attempting to stay mounted while the bull attempts to throw off the rider from its back. It is known as the most ‘dangerous eight seconds in sports’. The risk of getting trampled by the bull can result in serious injuries and even death.

 I asked him, “How long do you have to stay on the bull for?”

“As long as possible,” He said.

From what I’ve experienced at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, those words summarize the attitude of what it’s like for families battling cancer. You have to hang on to dear life for “as long as possible”. You have to face your fears. Most importantly, you must have the courage to ride the bull. It’s an extremely challenging ride for the kids and their families, but it is possible to conquer 'the bull' that is cancer.

Never give up and ride on, Emmett! You’ve got a rodeo man’s blood in your veins!

Hang on to Hope.

-Kevin Cervantes

Give Hope.
www.alyssaalvinfoundationforhope.org

A brief introduction to 'Stories' by Kevin Cervantes

Dear Friends,

This section will be dedicated to stories. The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope wants to share stories about Alyssa, but also, stories about others who have been affected by cancer.

I believe that stories need to be told to  raise awareness of the struggle that cancer patients go through, but also, to tell stories of their courage and endurance. My experience with witnessing the unwavering strength and courage of Alyssa and her family as they battled cancer together has forever changed my life. I hope to inspire you all with these stories because my experiences with Alyssa lit a fire in my soul that will forever be present to give me strength through all the days of my life.

We will post anything from good music, pictures and poetry. We'll even blog about a visit to a child or young adult that has received our gift. We want to tell you stories of love, endurance, and courage. Most importantly, we want to tell you stories of hope.

I encourage you to share your story. If you've been affected by cancer or if you know someone who's been affected by cancer, please let us know. We encourage people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and faiths to share their story. We want to hear from you. We want to tell your story because it needs to be told to inspire others!

My friends, hope is very powerful. Above all else, we must never give up hope. 

Sincerely,

Kevin Cervantes

Alyssa playing and singing a cover of Avril Lavigne's "When You're Gone"! posted by George Alvin

Published on Dec 19, 2012

Christian Music - Big Daddy Weave posted by George Alvin

Big Daddy Weave - Overwhelmed Live

Christian Music - Plumb posted by George Alvin

We do not exist for us but to share the grace and love given to us all. We breathe it in, it changes us and then we breathe it out, we share it.  I have now breathed in deeply and it has changed me completely.  It has healed my heart, restored my home and made me new.  Because of that grace, there is always HOPE!  Breathe it in...and then exhale!  -  Plumb

Plumb - Lord I'm Ready Now

Christian Music - Kari Jobe posted by George Alvin

God is always with us through life's troubles, struggles and losses. 

Kari Jobe - I Am Not Alone (Live)

“Everybody has broken places in their lives that need the rescue of God and that need healing and need His perspective,” she says. “When we get His perspective, it just helps things get smaller compared to His greatness.

Jazz Playlist posted by Kevin Cervantes

One of Alyssa's favorite books is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Alyssa and I always talked about how awesome it would be to live in the Roaring 20s also known as the Jazz Age. This playlist is dedicated to that memory.

-Kevin Cervantes