Alyssa's SAKs Delivered to India

 AIM Volunteer Team Prepares Alyssa SAKs for India– Tuesday, April 5, 2016

In preparation for the delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to India, Associates at AIM Specialty Health organized a volunteer team to create more of Alyssa's SAKs.  A total of 12 people contributed funds for the cost of the art supplies.  The volunteer team prepared the art kits in the AIM Deerfield office after work and included the following people: Joanne Eggensammer, Roxanne Polykov, Rochelle Polykov, Kemi Duro-Emanuel, Kellie Wilson, Felix Aspere, Nancy Koutsis, Divya K, Anita Rajendra, Yoli Alvin, Gina Brandon and Scott Eddy. Many thanks to those who gave their time and effort to support this endeavor.

Delivery to CANKIDS...KIDSCAN in Delhi, India - April 26, 2016

The Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were personally delivered by Priyanka Salwan, AAFH Board Member, to CANKIDS...KIDSCAN, a registered charitable National Society, dedicated to Change for Childhood Cancer in India.  Priyanka met Bagai Poonam-Chairman, Ritu Bhalla and Kapil Chawla-Staff members.  Kapil gave Priyanka a tour of the palliative center and she had the opportunity to give each of 12 children one of Alyssa's SAKs.  Bagai is interested in discussing possible opportunities of Music and Art Therapy programs and has given us the name of their GM Pediatric Psycho oncology, Huma Anis. We look forward to a lasting relationship with this beautiful support group for children with cancer and their families.  Please visit the KIDSCAN website for more information.

Busy Art Night at RMH-Winfield

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held another Art Night at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Winfield on Thursday, April 28, 2016 in the Community Room. 

Board Member, Kevin Cervantes, lead the Painting Inspiring Words activity with patients and parents staying at the house.  Kevin met Drew, a young patient, and his parents.  They all explored their artistic talents with paint on canvas and had fun!  There were many paint colors and brushes to choose from thanks to their generous contribution to the AAFH by two sisters – Doris Burdick and Jean Grupe.  

While the art painting was going on, Yoli, President of AAFH, held an art kit preparation with the Kohl’s Associates in Action (AiA) in a small corner of the Community Room.  There were 6 AiA volunteers, who participated in preparing 50 art kits for another upcoming Art Night. 

As always, the patients, parents and AiA volunteers who participated in the activities had a lot of fun at the Art Night!  This group of volunteers got to enjoy and experience the hope and joy the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope brought to the Ronald McDonald House.

By the end of the night, Drew was excited about his gift request submitted by his Mom, Chelsey, to the AAFH website and we are honored to be able to fulfill his request. We will write more about Drew and his gift in a future blog soon!

Kendall’s Q Chord Arrives!

Kendall is a beautiful 11-year old who lives in Bloomingdale, IL with her family.  We first heard of Kendall through Rachel and Elizabeth, Music Therapists, at Lurie Children’s Hospital in early April.  Rachel told us that Kendall was learning how to play the borrowed Q Chord at the hospital and that she would like to have her own.  Rachel told Kendall and her Mom, Julie, about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) and our Gift Recipient Program.  Rachel offered to complete the gift request form for Kendall and emailed it back to AAFH.  This was the first time we received a request for a Q Chord and within a couple weeks, we were ready to deliver it to Kendall.

Kendall was diagnosed with neutropenia in February 2016 and has been staying at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for the last 90 days.  Kendall loves making art and doing crafts, playing board games and playing musical instruments.  Since she was admitted to Lurie’s, Kendall has been borrowing and learning how to play the Q Chord and loves it!

On Tuesday, April 26th, Carmen (Board Member) and Yoli (AAFH President) visited Kendall at Lurie Children’s Hospital.  We finally met Kendall and her mom, Julie.  Kendall was surprised and was very happy to see her own Q Chord.  Rachel said, “The timing was perfect because she was discharged from Lurie’s on Wednesday, April 27th and she came to love the Q-chord and took her own back home”.  Rachel also said that it was like a “going home” gift that will allow Kendall to take that fun aspect of being in the hospital home with her to integrate into her home life and future wellness.    

We look forward to hearing about Kendall playing the Q Chord and the new tunes she creates with it!

2nd Annual Benefit Recital

On April 23, 2016, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held its 2nd Annual Music Benefit Recital at the Village Bible Church in Sugar Grove, IL.  The recital was hosted by Ashlee and Glen Schneider.  Ashlee and Glen are both Board members of the AAFH.  Also, Ashlee was Alyssa’s piano teacher for ten years beginning when Alyssa turned 4.

This year’s Benefit Recital featured seven of Ashlee’s students, six students from Matea Valley High School and two students from Geneva High School!  The musicians played a variety of music from classical artists such as Mozart, Beethoven and Rossini to ragtime music from Scott Joplin and an arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”!

We were fortunate to have as a guest speaker, Juan de la Rosa, a 15-year-old recent recipient of a musical gift item from the AAFH.  Juan’s 5-minute speech was inspirational and a testament to his strength and fortitude to not let his fight against cancer diminish his love for life.  Juan’s passion is wrestling and listening to his favorite music.  Juan told the audience he was competing in a state tournament the Saturday following the 2nd Annual Music Benefit Recital.  He credits both for bringing him to a place of peace and confidence when he is doing either one.  Juan received a set of blue Beats headphones from the AAFH and he’s put them to good use!

As last year, we had many generous merchants from Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia donate beautiful gift baskets for our silent auction, helping us to raise funds for our mission.  Special thanks to Anthony McInerney who provided an on-site Organo coffee stand where all attendees could savor this unique brand of coffee!

Visit to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & RMH in Orlando, Florida

On a warm and sunny Thursday, April 14, 2016, Dr. Alvaro & Mary Liceaga (Advisory Board Members) joined George and Yoli (Executive Officers) to deliver Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and a Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Orlando, Florida! 

We met with five staff members of the Child Life & Music Department at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children: Jamie King, Sheri, Lauren Hamed, Teresa Augelli & Max Corrigan.   We gave a brief presentation on the programs and services offered by the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and its mission of providing opportunities for teens and young adults to create or listen to music, or to create their own visual arts.  We informed the staff of our 2015 accomplishments and goals for 2016.  We also shared stories of the Gift Recipients, music instrument donations and described the various Alyssa SAKs.

We then visited the RMH of Orlando located on Alden Road and delivered Alyssa SAKs there too!  We met Suzanne Cain, House Manager, & Brianna Biggs, Assistant House Manager and conducted a similar presentation as given at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

After our visit, Suzanne, from RMH – Orlando, emailed us and said it was great to have met all of us and how her and Brianna were so impressed by all that the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope is doing to help families with children with life threatening illnesses.  Suzanne said, “One of Alyssa’s SAKs has already been given to a young teenage girl battling cancer and she was very appreciative”.

We thank all our supporters who are making it possible to continue preparing art kits for more teens and young adults.  We are blessed for the opportunity to bring a bit of joy and hope into these young cancer patients’ lives!

2nd Annual Kind Heart Recital

We need your support to continue and further the Alyssa Foundation's mission, so come on out to Village Bible Church, Sugar Grove, IL, next Saturday, April 23rd and enjoy the beautiful music performance of young students from various schools.  Click here for tickets!

Our mission is to bring joy and hope through music and visual arts to teens and young adult cancer patients.  We aim to give them the means to create music & art and share Alyssa's love of the arts with as many young patients as possible!

To date, we have honored the gift requests of 22 teens and young adults going through treatment!  We also donated over 150 of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) and held over 12 music & art nights at several hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses!

A silent auction will be held before the performance from 12:30pm- 1:30pm with a variety of lavish gift baskets from local businesses such as Graham's Chocolate, Aurelios Pizza, Villa Verone, The Sugar Path, Pal Joey's, Old Towne Pub, Kernel Popcorn, Kilwins, El Molcajete, Chianti's Restaurant, Cocoon, the Little Traveler & more!    

You don't want to miss it!  Click here for tickets!

Scenes from last year!  2015

Juan Plays Tunes with His New Keyboard!

We first learned of Juan through Laura Pawuk, Music Therapist, at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Juan is a 17-year-old teen who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) just as Alyssa and he loves music too, just like Alyssa! 

His Mom, Karina, remembers that day on September 5, 2015 when their lives changed unalterably.  Juan was finishing a boxing match when he fell and his elbow immediately bruised very badly.  His parents took him to the doctor and they had some blood work done.  Dad said the next day the Oncologist called to tell them their son had cancer.  “This was the worst news anyone can receive,” said his Dad, Juan.

Juan learned how to play the drums and now wants to learn how to play the keyboard.  Yoli delivered his new electronic keyboard, pedal and bench on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.  He was really happy and played a few tunes which sounded really good!  Juan is a quick learner and teaches himself by listening to the music.

Juan is a Junior in high school and lives in Stone Park, IL.  Juan excels in school and in addition to boxing, loves to swim and play ice hockey.  Juan lives with his parents and younger brother.  He is home for a couple weeks before returning to Lurie’s for more chemotherapy.  Juan came home just in time to attend the Junior dance.  Juan was very appreciative of his gift and his Mom said she wants to volunteer with AAFH in the future because she loves what we are doing!

Shianne and Her Pottery Wheel

Shianne & Her Pottery Wheel

Shianne is a beautiful 14-year-old who lives in Tampico, IL with her Mom, Leanne, and siblings.  We met Shianne’s family at the Art Night hosted by AAFH at RMH in Chicago on Monday, March 28, 2016.  Shianne’s family participated in the Sculpey clay activity however Shianne could not because she was hospitalized at Lurie Children’s Hospital.  Shianne’s grandmother, Brenda, told us that Shianne liked to work with clay and that she would like a pottery wheel.  Her other interests include reading, writing, drawing, playing computer games and bike riding with friends!

We told Shianne and Brenda about our Gift Recipient Program and had Shianne’s Mom, Leanne, complete the gift request form that night.  George received the gift request and immediately started looking for the pottery wheel that would be appropriate for Shianne’s age.  Within a couple days, the pottery wheel arrived to our home and we made arrangements to visit Shianne at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).  Shianne had been transferred there to receive physical therapy before returning home to Tampico, IL.  Shianne was diagnosed with a bone tumor (Osteosarcoma) back in April 2015.  Shianne was admitted to Lurie Children’s Hospital where the cantaloupe size tumor was removed!  She spent 90 days as an inpatient at Lurie Children’s Hospital and was recently transferred to the RIC where she will be going through physical therapy to regain her strength before returning home.

We look forward to seeing some of Shianne’s creations with her new pottery wheel!

Please visit Shianne’s Journey page to learn more about Shianne’s Story.

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.