Kjersten Makes Art & Receives Headphones!

On March 3, 2016, we received an email from Kjersten, 18 years of age, who received one of Alyssa’s SAKs a few months ago when she stayed at the RMH near Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.  She wanted to thank us for the art kit.

Kjersten was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia 2 years ago at the age of 16.  She told us of her love for music and singing, just like Alyssa.  Kjersten was never very confident in her abilities to express herself with visual art. However, when she received Alyssa’s Starter Art Kit (SAK) it really encouraged her to go out on a limb and try to be creative in a new way!

Kjersten attached a picture of her first painting because she wanted to share it with us.  She made a copy of Picasso's Mediterranean Landscape as she is learning about Spanish art in school.  Kjersten said, “I read Alyssa's story on the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope website and she is such an inspiration.  Her story really touched my heart.”

On March 30, Yoli (AAFH President) and Christina (AAFH volunteer) visited Kjersten at her home in Gurnee, Illinois and delivered her blue Dr. Dre Beats and she was thrilled!  She will be going to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital for her last chemo treatment this weekend and will be taking her blue Beats to listen to her favorite music! 

Making Sculpey Clay Handprints & Footprints!

On Monday, March 28, 2016, over 20 children signed up for the Art Night hosted by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope at the RMH in Chicago.  Yoli and four volunteers (Ana Salgado, Daniel Guerrero, Nancy Avila and Tara Liceaga) assisted the children and parents to shape the rings, flatten the clay to create their own handprint and footprint. 

While the families had dinner, our volunteers encouraged the children to join us for the Art Night and described the Sculpey Clay project.  The children, Moms and Dads became interested and excited to participate in the art activity.  We want to thank Denice Steinman, owner of Polyform Company, who donated all the Sculpey Clay kits to Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope!

One of the Moms of a young patient staying at the house said, “Out of all the arts and crafts, AAFH’s art night has been the most fun and exciting session and my 4 year old son, David, Loved it!”  This entire family from Michigan was involved in our Art Night and it was great to see David, Valerie & Devon smile with joy! 

After 30 minutes in the oven, the handprint and footprint clay was done and ready for the children to pick theirs up.  The children could not wait to see the finished product.  The RMH Manager told us that this had been another successful event hosted by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope! 

We just love to bring joy and hope to all the children and families.

Robert & his Wood Carving Kits

Robert is a 12 year boy attending 7th grade in his hometown of Grand Blanc, Michigan.  Robert has a twin sister named Rebecca.  Robert was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in January of 2016.  I met Robert and his mom, Lisa, at Music Night held on March 14th.  They are staying at RMH in Winfield while Robert is going through proton radiation treatment.  I had the opportunity to share information about the music and art programs AAFH offers teens and young adults.  Robert and Lisa were excited to hear about our foundation and enjoyed the music performance that night. 

That same evening, we received Robert's gift request for a set of wood carving tools.  Ten days later, I delivered Robert's two carving kits that he requested as a gift.  I arrived at RMH in Winfield on March 24th and had dinner with Lisa and Robert.  It was very nice to sit with them and learn more about what Robert likes to do and found out that he likes to do creative artwork, fish, ski, and play baseball.  Robert said, "My grandpa gave me one wood carving tool and now because of AAFH, I have my own carving tools.  I can't wait to show my papa the kits.”

Robert was happy to receive his gift and has already been busy using the kit to carve a bird.

Remembering Lexi

We are saddened by the news that one of our gift recipients, Lexi B., passed away last week.  She was a sweet and beautiful 17-year-old.  Lexi also had leukemia just like our precious daughter, Alyssa.  Lexi and Alyssa met at Lurie Children’s Hospital when they were both going through their chemo treatments and experiencing complications as a result of the treatments.  When we started Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope, we reached out to other patients of Alyssa’s age to inform them of our mission to bring teens and young adults joy and hope through music and art.  Lexi’s Mom, Jen, received one of our marketing flyers at Lurie Children’s Hospital and contacted us to inform us that Lexi would love to get a professional art package.

We were honored to give Lexi the professional art package in May, 2015.  Thereafter, Lexi created a variety of art pieces.  For the AAFH 1st Art Exhibit, Lexi donated two of her art pieces- Lexi’s Rose and the Cheetah which were auctioned off in October, 2015!      

We attended Lexi’s funeral visitation and as we were waiting in line, we noticed Lexi’s art was displayed on a couple tables.  It was a great feeling to know that even when Lexi was going through her struggles with her leukemia, she was able to create something beautiful and use vibrant colors to show her beauty from the inside out.  Lexi was able to express herself through art and leave us with her amazing art work.

We pray for Lexi’s parents as they mourn the loss of their daughter.  We also pray that Lexi’s memories give them strength, love and peace.  Love will always keep them connected.

Lexi and Jen will always be a part of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope family.  May our sweet and beautiful Lexi be blessed with eternal life in Heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and may we always carry her memory with us for the rest of our lives.

Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to Rush Children's Hospital

Some time ago a gift recipient’s mom, Juanita, said “I think it would be great for you to promote AAFH at Rush!”  Six months later, on March 15, 2016, Yoli gave a presentation to the Rush Medical Center Child Life Department staff and delivered ten Alyssa SAKs.  She also gave the hospital staff five of the toy musical instruments which had been donated by Lilia Olvera and shipped from Mexico City! 

The Child Life staff was very receptive to AAFH programs and services and thanked Yoli for bringing the art kits for the young adult cancer patients at Rush.  They look forward to working with AAFH and giving the Gift Request forms to eligible teens and young adult patients with life threatening illnesses. 

We have already delivered 40 art kits in the first quarter of 2016!

Music Night with Buffalo Grove HS Chamber Orchestra!

About 6 months ago, Elizabeth Bennett, Director of Orchestras, AP Music Theory, Co-Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator and National Honor Society Sponsor of Buffalo Grove High School (HS District 214) contacted AAFH because they were interested in performing for the young patients and their families during the Music Nights hosted by AAFH at RMH in Winfield.  Elizabeth said, “It was such a joy to hear about Grace’s (one of her orchestra student and AAFH volunteer) experience with AAFH.  Wow, what an inspiration Alyssa must have been and still is today.  This is just an incredible and inspiring organization’s work in her memory!”

The Music Nights are held once a month for 1 hour.  For the first 30 minutes, the group performs and during the last 30 minutes of the hour, the music students hold a hands-on session where they interact with the young patients staying at the House by showing them the basics of the musical instruments they play.   The families enjoyed the music played by the Buffalo Grove HS Chamber Orchestra led by Elizabeth on Monday, March 14, 2016.  Elizabeth also had one of the youngest patients act as a conductor for one of the last songs the chamber orchestra played.  The young patient did great!

The Buffalo Grove HS Chamber Orchestra enjoyed the experience so much that they want to come back again!  What a beautiful thing.

We Make Kody Smile

Kody is a 12 year old boy who loves math!  He lives in Knox, Indiana with his family and last November 2015, Kody was experiencing severe headaches along with nausea and vomiting.  At the end of January 2016, Kody’s Mom, Denise, received the terrible news that Kody had a tumor in his 4th ventricle.  Thankfully the tumor has been removed and Kody began radiation therapy at the Chicago Proton Center in March.  During this time, Kody and his Mom have been staying at the RMH in Winfield.  While at the House, they heard about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.  Denise said, “Kody told me he would like a set of red Beats headphones and I went to your website to fill the gift request form.  It was an easy process.” 

Once we received the request, we immediately contacted Denise and confirmed what Kody wanted and ordered his red Beats.   On Monday, March 14th after hosting the Music Night at RMH in Winfield, we presented Kody with his Red Beats and he gave us all a big Smile!

We were able to honor Kody's gift request because people like YOU are helping us with AAFH mission!  Our goal is to give the gift of music and art to other teen and young adult patients as they go through treatment! Thank you for your support. 

"Devon Strong!"

We met Devon at the Ronald McDonald House near Central DuPage Hospital, where he received his cancer treatments. He’s friends with one of our gift recipients, Holden, who received a green saxophone last week.  I personally met Devon during one of our Art Nights, where School of Art sponsored our event to paint sneakers with the guests at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a fun event! Check it out. Here’s a picture of Holden and Devon sitting up front with our flute gift recipient Andra standing to my right.

Devon is an artist at heart. He writes poetry and draws. Since I’m also a writer, I asked him, “Maybe you can send me one of your poems and we can share it on the Alyssa foundation’s Facebook page for everyone?” As you know, I want people like you to read the stories about the people we help. To me, this has always been a very important part of our mission.

Devon replied, “I haven’t really written anything in awhile.”

Devon’s Mom, Michelle, interrupted and said that Devon certainly writes poetry. She said, “I have a poem that he wrote and I framed it.” She made the gesture of a picture frame with her hands while telling me about the poem.

I knew that the poem meant a lot to Michelle judging by the look on her face. I had no idea what the poem was about, but as an artist, I knew the words he wrote meant a lot to his Mom. I felt that Devon and Michelle were really close. They even wore matching t-shirts that read DEVON STRONG.

You’re strong Devon! We hope that you enjoy listening to music on your Beats Studio headphones while making art!

Thanks to our individual contributors and sponsors who donated to make this happen. If you want to help us continue our mission, please click here to donate musical instruments, art supplies, and funds.

Give Hope.

Holden’s Jazzy Gift!

Holden is an amazing 18 year old boy receiving radiation treatment at the Proton Center in Winfield, IL. Holden is being treated for Oligodendroglioma, a type of brain tumor. Despite the ordeal this tumor and the treatments have put him through; Holden is kind and has a serious love for music ever since he started playing when he was in the fifth grade. The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope first met Holden during a Music Night at the Ronald McDonald house in Winfield, IL.  When he got to high school the band classmates he came to know well, have encouraged and helped support him ever since being diagnosed.  

We met Holden and his mom, Cindy, at the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield, IL on March 4th, 2016. Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope Board members; Tyler Willer, Dan Modjeski and Yoli Alvin went to present Holden with a brand new shiny green saxophone he had requested. Holden has been playing the saxophone for years now. The shiny green saxophone looked majestic and Holden could not wait to get his hands on it. We helped take the instrument out of the case, construct it, and gave the professional white playing gloves to Holden. Luckily Holden knew just what to do to set the instrument up properly. He started by taking the reed out and breaking it in, he knew that the reed would need to be softened up to make it easier to play. Once the saxophone was set and the reed was broken in, Holden played a scale of notes to the 8 of us around.

 Holden continues treatment through the next few months. Holden will be going home to Indiana where he will be reunited with his fellow band members, ultimately being able to use the new sax marching alongside his classmates. We offer our prayers and remain hopeful that Holden’s treatments will come to a close this spring. We hope to hear Holden play a song with the new green saxophone in the near future. 

Art Night at RMH in Sunny Florida

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held its first Art Night at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in St. Petersburg, Florida on Friday, February 26, 2016. 

About 12 young patients of all ages and some of the parents participated in the handprint Sculpey clay activity.  These young patients are being treated at the All Children’s Hospital – Johns Hopkins Medicine Center which is about a couple blocks from the hospital.

The Sculpey clay kits were donated by Ms. Denice Steinmann, Chairman and owner of Polyform company which is located in Elk Grove Village, IL. 

We are very appreciative of Denice’s generous donation of the Polyform products.  We also want to thank our Executive Secretary, Denise Perez-Cabrera, her husband Johnny Cabrera, Denise’s brother, Bernie and his wife Connie for volunteering their time to this Art Night.  All the volunteers said they had a wonderful time and were glad to be part of this Art Night in Sunny Florida!

The patients made their own handprint with the easy-to-use and soft oven bake clay which only took 30 minutes to bake and harden. When they got to see their clay handprints, the young patients expressed their joy in having participated in the Art Night event.

The entire Blevin family - Jennifer (Mom), Tom (Dad), Austin (patient) and Dalton (brother) were able to enjoy this Art Night together!  Dad said, “we love what Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope is doing”! 

Austin said he will be thinking about the type of music gift he wants before submitting his gift request to AAFH.

Dancing to Give HOPE!

Over 60 people came from across Chicagoland for dancing and dance lessons at the Fred Astaire Franchise Studio in Buffalo Grove, Illinois on Friday, February 19th.   The dance event was sponsored by the owners of the Fred Astaire franchise in Buffalo Grove.  This event was to benefit the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope's mission of providing music and art to children fighting a cancer or other life threatening disease.

Eight professional dancers generously donated their time in the evening to entertain and teach the benefit attendees a variety of dances.  There were all ages represented at this event including a young 14 year old dancer who has been regularly dancing at the studio.

Two thirds of the attendees had never heard or attended an Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope event.  Many of the guests after being informed of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope, said they support our cause and mission.  They expressed their belief in the power of healing through Music & Art.  Many of the guests echoed the same sentiment, “we want to help other teens and young adults by bringing them joy and hope as they cope and undergo their cancer treatments.” 

After the dance, our guests enjoyed delicious appetizers provided by The Fresh Market in Geneva, Illinois.  Everyone had a wonderful time and are looking forward to the next Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope event!

Andra - Our 1st Flute Gift Recipient of 2016!

Andra is a sweet 9 year old girl receiving treatment at the Chicago Proton Center in Warrenville, IL.  Andra is being treated for Oligodendroglioma, a type of brain tumor.  Despite the ordeal this tumor and the treaments have put her through, Andra exhibits a love of life and music which helps her persevere through this journey to full remission.

I met Andra and her Dad, Christian, at the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield, IL on February 18, 2016.  Yoli and I went there and joined with Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope Board members Ashlee Schneider and Monica Balc to present Andra with the flute she had asked for.  With help from Ashlee and her husband, Glen Schneider, also a Board member, we were able to obtain the flute as a donation from Quinlan & Fabish Music Co.  Upon opening the case which held the flute, Andra radiated much happiness in simply holding in her hands a flute of her own!  Ashlee, being a musician and flute player herself,  showed Andra some of the basics in playing the flute and also presented her with an instructional book on flute playing.  Andra and her Dad had visited the American Girl store the previous day and had brought home an American Girl flute player...she had her own flute!  So Andra and her American Girl now have their own flutes!

Andra continues treatment through the end of this month February 2016.  After that she gets to go home in Michigan.  She'll be surrounded by a loving and supportive family, including 4 younger siblings and her parents.  We offer our prayers and remain hopeful that Andra's journey will end positively.  We hope to hear Andra play a song or two on her flute in the near future.

Music Night at RMH with Children & Dads!

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held another Music Night at the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield on Thursday, January 28, 2016.  The young patients we met are being treated at the Proton center in Warrenville, IL and receiving radiation therapy.

Toy xylophones were given to all the young patients. These toy instruments were donated by Lilia Olvera Martinez-Gerente De Ventas at Comersilver and shipped all the way from Mexico City.  Young people of ages 3 through 19 participated in the Music Night.

It was great to see Dads come to the Community Room and have fun watching their sons & daughters play the musical instruments and enjoy the sounds made by the many instruments.  One Dad even gathered a few of the children to play together.  This was caught on camera and you can see the big smiles on the childrens’ faces.   

A young patient, Andra, asked if we had a flute because she has been playing a plastic toy flute at home and has always wanted to play a real brass one.  Yoli shared the AAFH mission and told Andra we could get her one.  When she heard this, she looked at her Dad and had a big smile.  Dad said “Andra desires a flute and can’t wait to learn how to play it”.  Dad immediately completed the Gift Request form.  One of our Board members, Glen Schneider is working with Quinlan and Fabish Music Company to fulfill Andra’s gift request.  Andra’s mom, Ligia, said Andra is very excited to hear AAFH will be honoring her gift request.

Art Kits donated to Florida Hospital & RMH

The first delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) and toy music xylophones arrive at the All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkin Medicine & Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

On Friday, January 15, 2016, Carmen Ziegler (Advisory Board Member), Lupe Brueck and Nadine Liceaga (AAFH Volunteers) joined Yoli Alvin (AAFH President) to promote the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and share Alyssa’s mission with Kristin Maier the Child Life Director at the All Children’s Hospital and Karen Matthews, the House Manager at the RMH. 

Kristin emailed us and said she shared Alyssa’s SAKs with Dara Jackson who is the All Children’s hospital Inpatient Hemoc/Onc Child Life Specialist.  Dara told Kristin she loved the Art Kits and Kristin said, “don’t be surprised if you get a request for more of Alyssa’s SAKs soon!”

With the delivery of Alyssa SAKs and the toy musical instruments, the All Children’s Hospital and the RMH in St. Petersburg can now share Alyssa’s love of Music and Art with teens and young adult patients.

Thank you to Kristin and Karen for a warm welcome and giving us the opportunity to bring a piece of Alyssa’s legacy to their young patients and their families through the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope!

Making Children Smile at RMH in Chicago

On Sunday, January 10th we made breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago for families with children who are being treated at Lurie Children's Hospital. The AAFH Team was there six months ago and many of the same volunteers came out to join us to support an organization that welcomed us while Alyssa was going through cancer treatments.  The RMH also welcomed Alyssa while she was at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. for physical therapy.

During our meal prep, the kitchen was busy with volunteers making chocolate chip pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and breakfast burritos. When the food was ready, the families got in line and the children received toy musical instruments (xylophones and small guitars) sent from Yoli and Nancy's (Alyssa's Godmother) friend Lilia Olvera.  Our photographer, Jayne, caught a few of the childrens' excitement and smiles as they selected one of the toys of their choice.

The AAFH volunteers also had a chance to enjoy breakfast together and go up to the rooftop with Yoli to visit Alyssa's brick memorial.  It was a very busy morning full of love, joy and hope for the patients and families we met.

Give Hope.
www.alyssaalvinfoundationforhope.org

Evin received his Launchpad Pro instrument today!

Today I had the pleasure of delivering Evin’s musical instrument. I personally reached out to his family after reading about his journey with cancer on Facebook.

Evin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on May 15, 2015. His Mom, Mari, keeps everyone updated regarding Evin’s hospital visits and treatments through a Facebook page titled “Prayers for Evin Alexander / Evin’s Journey & Battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma” (link shared below).

Cancer is often described as a ‘battle’. Evin’s family thinks of it as a battle and I can attest that there is no other way to describe it. From my personal experience with the Alvin family, each and every day was a battle. We were fighting off our fears. We were fighting off our doubts. And just like all the families affected by cancer, we were fighting for our loved one.

Something that amazes me about Evin’s friends and family is the tremendous support that they have for his battle. I think giving support, in whatever form, is crucial because these children and many others are in the fight of their lives. They really need our help.

Before the formation of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope, all that we could really do to help young cancer patients was to be there for them, send them positivity, and maybe even pray for them. But, after being inspired by Alyssa’s journey, we’ve taken on a new battle and a new mission: to give the gift of music and art to children and young adults with cancer.
 

Music and art is so important for the healing process, especially to someone undergoing cancer treatments. Afterall, music and art are made of dreams, and we want young cancer patients to dream big and dream often. We want them to express themselves through art. We want them to feel joy while playing a musical instrument. And like our other gift recipients, we want them to tell their personal story through music and art.
 

Evin hopes to create some awesome electronic music using the musical instrument we gave him. Jokingly, I asked him, “What’s going to be your DJ name?” He just laughed. I’m sure he’ll be making some great electronic music and we look forward to sharing that with you in the future.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Novation Launchpad Pro, it’s a really awesome musical instrument. It’s so different from the other instruments we’ve given but we’re glad Evin wanted one of these. Check out this YouTube video to see how it works:

Pretty cool huh? We wanted to make sure that Evin received his instrument before he starts chemotherapy again on Thursday. If you’d like to support Evin, please visit his Facebook page by clicking on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/EvinStrongTeamEvin/?fref=ts

If you’d like to help us give more musical instruments and art supplies to children and young adults with cancer, please click here to visit our donate page.

Give Hope.

-Kevin Cervantes