Surprising Sam with Beats!

Samuel (Sam) is a 14-year-old boy from Chiapas, Mexico who loves to listen to music according to his mom, Claudia.  Sam lives with his mom and 9 year old sister, Dana.  We met Sam during our visit to Instituto Nacional de Pediatria (INP) in Mexico City in July 2016.  He was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2016.  He has been in and out of the hospital for his chemotherapy treatments.  Sam has some musical experience since he has played drums in the past.  He likes to listen to various musical genres such as jazz and reggae.  Sam likes to listen to instrumental music at the end of his day since he finds the music calms him and prepares him to dream about his future. 

Sam was the first patient at INP who completed his gift request after learning about AAFH’s Gift Recipient Program.   Alyssa’s Godmother, Nancy Avila, watched as Sam entered the information on the gift request form via the AAFH website on July 29th.  Nancy then told Yoli that she was going to purchase and donate the Beats headphones for Sam.  Lily, our dear friend and AAFH volunteer in Mexico City, shopped for the Dr. Dre Beats in August and informed us she was ready to deliver them to Sam.  In early September, we contacted one of the Oncologist at INP, Dra. Karla, to determine the best date to deliver his Beats.  On Monday, September 19th, Lily delivered the Beats and surprised Sam as he was not expecting them that day.

Claudia, Sam’s mom, emailed us and told us Sam was really happy with his Beats and is very appreciative of what AAFH has done for her son and for what it does for young patients with cancer.

In the News….Tri-Cities Daily Herald Publishes Article on Alyssa & the Upcoming AAFH Art Fundraiser

Sunday, September 18, 2016 – The Tri-Cities Daily Herald’s Dave Heun published an article today on Alyssa and our Foundation’s upcoming La Fiesta de Arte fundraiser.  The article ”Music and healing” can be found in today’s print edition in the Neighbor section and online here.  Dave talks about Alyssa’s love of music and how it helped her though her journey and the inspiration for our Foundation.  Dave provides a few details of our upcoming La Fiesta de Arte – Art Exhibit fundraising event.  Please take a few minutes to check out the Daily Herald site where you can read the entire article about Alyssa and Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.

La Fiesta de Arte fundraiser will be held Sunday, October 16th from 3-6pm at El Molcajete in Geneva, IL with a silent auction beginning at 3pm with unique artwork and baskets from our local merchants - The Little Traveler, Graham’s, Kernel’s, The Geneva Spice House, Old Town Pub & Eateryand more!  Mariachi Institute of Chicago is coming to perform for our guests, and appetizers/beverages will be provided by our sponsor El Molcajete.  You don’t want to miss it.  Get your tickets TODAY!

Alyssa & her dad, George

Alyssa and other IMEA GHS students

Alyssa playing her piano at home on her 16th birthday

Alyssa – Piano accompanist for GHS student for IMEA

Brandon Gets His Beats!

Brandon is 8 years old and a 3rd grader who lives with his Dad, Jeff, his 2 brothers and 4 sisters in Shorewood, IL.  He is a very happy boy who likes to ride roller coasters and had the opportunity to go to the Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio this summer. He was diagnosed with langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in January 2016.  Brandon is currently going through chemo treatments at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago every few weeks as an outpatient.

Brandon heard of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope through the social worker, Anna, at Lurie Children’s Hospital.  She shared the Gift Recipient Program with Brandon in June and Brandon was trying to decide on what he would want as a gift.  He had several ideas and in the end, he decided on a set of red Beats headphones!

Tuesday, August 30th, Marina Herrera-Alfaro, AAFH Volunteer joined Yoli, AAFH President, at Lurie Children’s Hospital to deliver Brandon’s new red Beats.  Brandon told us he likes to listen to the Fall Out Boy, an American rock band from Wilmette, IL. He was very thankful to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope Team for the gift.

Shane & His Maroon Beats!

Shane is an 18-year-old young adult who lives in La Porte, IN with his family.  In May 2016 Shane enlisted into the army and his Dad, Richard, is proud of him for doing so. 

The following month in June 2016, Shane was diagnosed with brain cancer and on June 21st he had surgery to remove the tumor from his brain.  Shane is currently going through treatment at Central DuPage Hospital to eliminate any of the tumor still left.  Shane is courageous and strong in battling this disease.

Shane likes to hang out with his friends, play video games such as Call of Duty, and has a passion for baseball.  His favorite team is the Chicago White Sox and enjoys going to the ball games.

Shane heard about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope through other young adults staying at RMH in Winfield.  They shared the Gift Recipient Program with Shane and the rest is history.  Shane completed and submitted his gift request on August 22, 2016.

On Sunday, August 28th, Vince, an AAFH board member and Alyssa’s brother, returned to RMH in Winfield and delivered Shane’s new maroon Beats.  Shane was talkative with Vince and very thankful to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope Team for the gift.

Jacob with His Blue Beats

Jacob is an 18-year-old who loves reading, walking, school and listening to music.  He was diagnosed with pineal blastula and thyroid cancer in May 2016.  Jacob is being treated at the Proton Center in Warrenville, IL and receiving radiation therapy for the next several weeks.   He is staying at the RMH in Winfield and stopped by to check out the sculpting art night hosted by AAFH after his Mom, Tammy, told him about our Gift Recipient Program.

A week later Vince, who is an AAFH Board member and Alyssa’s brother, delivered to Jacob his new blue Beats on Thursday, August 25.  Jacob was really excited and ready to wear the Beats and listen to his favorite music.

While delivering Jacob's gift, Vince also met Billy who recently received a new banjo from AAFH Gift Recipient Program and Shane another 18-year old young adult who submitted his gift request this week.  Both young boys shared in Jacob's joy in receiving his new banjo.

Thanks to all our donors for helping us bring music to more teens and young adult patients going through medical treatment!

Billy Gets His Banjo

We met Billy at a sculpting art night hosted by AAFH at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Winfield, IL on Thursday, August 18, 2016.  William (Billy) is a 13-year old who loves music and wants to learn how to play a banjo.  Many of his family members play musical instruments and Billy has watched his grandpa, uncles and cousins play guitars and banjos.  Billy lives in Lyons, IN with his family.  He was diagnosed with several brain tumors in July 2016.  Billy is being treated at the Proton Center in Warrenville, IL and receiving radiation therapy for the next several weeks.

That evening at the art night event, Billy asked if he could receive a banjo as a gift and how long it would take.  Billy was told we would call one of our musical store partners, the Instrument Exchange, and find out if the owner, Tom, might have one in stock.  

Billy’s grandma completed the gift request form on the AAFH website and Yoli, AAFH-President, arranged to pick up the banjo the next day as Tom confirmed he had several at his music store.  The next day both Mary Jane, AAFH Board member and Yoli delivered Billy his new banjo on Friday, August 19th.  Billy was really excited and happy with his new shiny banjo!

 AAFH is honored to be able to fulfill Billy’s gift request and share a bit of joy and hope to him and his family!

Sculpting Art Night with Larry from the LK Johnson Studio in Geneva, IL

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held another Art Night at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Winfield on Thursday, August 18, 2016.  

Larry Johnson, Fine Artist from Geneva, IL and his wife who is on the AAFH Board, Mary Jane Johnson, sponsored a sculpting art activity.  Larry’s inspiring words led the patients and their family members to be creative with clay and most of all to have fun during the sculpting activity! Jayne King, one of AAFH's volunteers, took photos that night to showcase everyone's sculpting pieces of work.   
 
While their sculpting clay creation was being baked in the oven, Yoli, AAFH President, shared information about the Foundation and walked the RMH families through the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope website.

Hops for Humanity Delivers the Summer Event Winner Check to AAFH!

Kevin McDermott nominated and presented Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) at the quarterly event hosted by Hops for Humanity on Monday, July 11, 2016.  Kevin called Yoli that evening and said, “AAFH finally won the donation!“  It was great news for AAFH to be the Winners as Kevin had been nominating and presenting AAFH at the previous quarterly Hops for Humanity events but had never selected as one of the three members to present their charity.  Kevin was determined to help AAFH receive a donation because he believes in the mission of Alyssa’s Foundation.    Our goal is to continue giving the gifts of music and art to children and young adults battling a life threatening disease. 

On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, Board members Dr. Alvaro Liceaga and Mary Narcaroti Liceaga, joined AAFH President Yoli in meeting Kevin and several of the Board Members of Hops for Humanity at the Alter Brewing Co. in Downers Grove, IL.  The Hops for Humanity generously presented a $9,000 check to the AAFH to further the Foundation’s mission.  On October 17th, Alyssa’s parents (George and Yoli) will be sharing at the Hops for Humanity quarterly event how the AAFH will utilize this $9,000 donation in furtherance of our mission.

Hops for Humanity was founded by Patrick and Julie Sheehan in 2014.  Pat has been a brewer of craft beer for nearly 20 years and lives in Elmhurst, IL with his wife Julie.  Pat and Julie began Hops for Humanity together with their friends who became the founding board members with the intention of giving back to their community.  Their mission statement is “Good Beer Doing Good.” (Hops for Humanity)

Alyssa SAKs Delivered to the University of Chicago Medicine – Comer Children’s Hospital

August 4, 2016 - Mary Jane Johnson (AAFH Board Member) and Yoli (President of AAFH) visited Comer Children’s Hospital and delivered 8 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs).   We met with Amy Carter, MS, CCLS, Lead Child Life Specialist who informed us that they have both music and art therapy programs at the hospital.  Amy said there are teens and young adults being treated there for cancer and other life threatening illnesses and she is sure these patients will benefit and enjoy the art kits.  She was excited to hear about the AAFH Programs and is interested in receiving musical instruments from the AAFH.  We will be delivering musical instruments next month that include acoustic guitars, music stand, electronic keyboards and a washboard percussion instrument!

We thank everyone who is making it possible to continue preparing the SAKs for more teens and young adults.  We also greatly appreciate the donated musical instruments we have received so that we can gift them to the hospitals we have a relationship with.  All this ensures that the young patients at these hospitals can explore art and music!

Delivery of Music Instruments to Young Patients at Instituto Nacional de Pediatría - México City

On Friday, July 29th, Alyssa’s Godmother, Nancy Avila and friend, Lilia Olvera joined Yoli and returned to the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP) (National Institute of Pediatrics) in Mexico City to deliver the musical instrument gifts that had been requested by the children being treated at the INP.

That same morning, Lilia, Nancy and Yoli went shopping for the musical instruments and delivered guitars and electronic keyboards to 7 Gift Recipients.  It was amazing to see the young cancer patients’ happiness and joy as we entered the hospital rooms and delivered their gifts.  5 children received guitars and 2 children received electronic keyboards.

Victor (17) was diagnosed with leukemia 4 years ago.  He lives in Mexico City with his family.  Victor wants to learn to play guitar and write songs.  Victor received a blue/black acoustic guitar.

Emily (16) was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome.  Emily is from Hidalgo, Mexico and is looking forward to learning how to play the guitar.  Emily received a red acoustic guitar.

Brian (16) was diagnosed with sarcoma synovial cancer 3 years ago.  He lives in Col. San Francisco Tlaltenco, Delegacion Tlahuac in Mexico City. Brian likes to listen to music especially rock and wants to learn to play the guitar.  Brian received a red acoustic guitar.

Nicole (10) was diagnosed with leukemia in June 2016.  She lives in Fuentes Del Pedregal, Mexico City.  Nicole likes to sing, dance, cook, gymnastics, swimming, bike riding, hanging out with friends and listening to music. Nicole received a pink acoustic guitar.

Rafaela (7) has hemophagocytic syndrome.  Rafaela told us she would like to learn how to play guitar. Alyssa’s Godmother, Nancy, donated her small guitar and guitar bag.  Rafaela received a guitar with the “Frozen” movie characters.       

Alexander (14) was diagnosed with leukemia May 2016.  He lives in San Sebastian Tulyehualco, Mexico City.  Alexander likes to read a lot and loves playing any instrument with keys.  His mom, Rosalva, told us his fingers work magic when he plays.  Alexander received an electronic keyboard.    

Josue (11) was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2016.  He was on the soccer team and wants to be able to go back to school so he can graduate.  He’s interested in learning how to play the keyboard. Josue received an electronic keyboard.

All the young patients were delighted to receive their gifts!

We thank all of our supporters and donors who are making it possible to deliver musical instruments for more teens and young adults going through medical treatment.  It feels great to bring joy and hope into the lives of these young cancer patients!

Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to Instituto Nacional de Pediatría in México City

Alyssa’s Godmother, Nancy Avila and friend, Lilia Olvera joined Yoli to deliver 15 of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP) (National Institute of Pediatrics) in Mexico City on Thursday, July 28th.

Several Hematology and Oncology doctors were present to hear about the programs offered by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.  This was made possible by a co-worker of Yoli, Lucia Quiroz whose brother knows Dra. Amalia Gpe. Bravo Lindoro.  Dra. Amalia is the Deputy Director of Auxiliary Services Diagnosis and Treatment at INP.

We met with the following medical staff – Dra. Karla Maldonado, Dra. Daniela Goldbard, Dra. Norma Lopez, social worker lrma Dalio Hernandez and Lic. Joaquin Priego who has been the hospital director for 31 years.

The Alyssa SAKs were a big success with the teens and young adults there.  The young cancer patients immediately started using their professional art supplies. They were thrilled with the art kits!

We shared stories of past Gift Recipients and told them of the AAFH website and how they too could submit a Gift Request.  They were excited about the Gift Recipient Program and by the end of the night, AAFH had received a total of 10 completed gift request forms through our website!    Stay tuned for the next blog on the deliveries.

Rashied and His Rogue Acoustic Guitar

Rashied was diagnosed at age 23 with Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer, in December 2013.  Rashied lives in East Chicago, IN with his family.  We heard about Rashied from Lurie Children’s Hospital Social worker, Joni. 

Rashied learned about Music Therapy from speaking with Joni and he became interested in the acoustic guitar.  This is how Rashied found out about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.  Joni shared information about our gift recipient program and he was excited to complete a request. 

Over the past 3 months, Rashied has been learning how to play the guitar when he is at Lurie’s getting his treatments. 

Rashied and his wife, Leah, have a three-year-old son named Caleb.  Rashied and Leah will be celebrating their 1 year wedding anniversary on August 2nd. 

Yoli drove to Lurie Children’s Hospital to deliver the acoustic guitar to Rashied.  She met Rashied at the front entrance to the hospital on July 25th and presented him with his brand new Rogue acoustic guitar, guitar bag and guitar stand.  The Cirone family donated the acoustic guitar and Instrument Exchange Owner, Tom Stading, donated the guitar bag and stand. 

Rashied expressed his thankfulness with, "I am grateful and thank the Cirone family and Tom for their donations.  I can now continue to learn how to play the guitar”.  Rashied then went into the Hospital to receive his chemo treatment.

Art Night at RMH in Oak Lawn with Kohl’s Associates in Action

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held its first Art Night at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Oak Lawn, IL on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. 

Young patients of all ages and their parents participated in the handprint Sculpey clay activity.  These young patients are being treated at the Advocate Children’s Hospital which is across from the RMH.

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 volunteers, the Kohl’s Associates in Action (AiA) from the Chicago Ridge Store, our cousin Olga, and Kohl’s AiA Representative from Batavia, IL, Carol.  Many thanks also to Carol’s daughter Shannon and Shannon’s friend, Julia who stays at the RMH in Oak Lawn when she is being treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital. 

Julia is 19 years old and was happy to come and join the other patients in the handprint bake clay activity. Watching the young patients enjoy themselves at this Art Night brought joy to all the volunteers!  The volunteers also helped prepare a number of Alyssa SAKs and fold Alyssa flyers that will be delivered to Mexico City.  We also met regular volunteers of this RHM Paul and Lu and who also helped us.  The volunteers had a wonderful time and were glad to be part of this Art Night sponsored by AAFH! 

Julia qualifies to be a Gift Recipient and said she will be thinking about the type of gift she wants.  Shannon offered to help Julia submit the gift request to AAFH.

Court & Country Vocal Ensemble Celebrate Alyssa’s Birthday at RMH in Chicago

On Saturday, July 23rd it was Alyssa’s 21st birthday.  On this special day, Court & Country Vocal Ensemble performed at RMH in Chicago to continue celebrating Alyssa’s Life!

A total of 8 members of the ensemble attended - Sharon Spanogle (Director)-Soprano, Kerri-Ellen Kelly (Manager)-Soprano, Keith Rohrer-Baritone, Betsey Langan-Tenor, Wendy Richardson-Soprano, Carrie Dahlby-Alto, David Ordonez-Baritone and David Bannister-Baritone.

Their performance included titles such as Elle Mo’adei composed by Salamone Rossi (1623), Ah, Robin, Gentle Robin composed by William Cornysh dating back to the 16th Century, Benedictus composed by William Byrd (mass for three voices) dated 1591-1592, Fowre Arms, Two Neckes, One Wreathing composed by Thomas Weelkes (1608), O Occhi Manza Mia composed by Orlando di Lasso from the 16th Century and a variety of other sets. 

The Court & Country Vocal Ensemble surprised Yoli by singing a Happy Birthday song for Alyssa and it brought a lot of joy and happiness of the beautiful memories we have of Alyssa.  Each member received a little piece of Alyssa…. a copy of Alyssa’s Geisha Collage.

We give thanks to all of the Court & Country Vocal Ensemble members for coming out to the RMH in Chicago and performing for the families staying there as this was a special place for the Alvin family during Alyssa’s stay at Lurie Children’s Hospital.  We also thank Mark Shouger, RMH Director, for allowing us to host this music afternoon there.  Our mission is to continue to share Alyssa’s love of music with as many young patients going through treatment and bring them a bit of joy and hope into their lives.  This summer day in July we certainly did just that!

EMMA'S SPIRITS LIFTED WITH HER PINK UKUELE

Emma is a 17-year-old girl from New Buffalo, Michigan.  Emma was diagnosed in January 2016 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  She is being treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and her Mom, Julie, stays with her when Emma comes to the hospital. They arrived at Lurie’s on July 5th to continue her inpatient chemo treatments.    

We first heard about Emma through Laura Pawuk, Certified Music Therapist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, in June when she was inpatient receiving her chemo treatment.  Laura told us that Emma liked to play the ukulele and sing.  Laura informed Emma about the AAFH Gift Recipient Program and thought that it would be great if AAFH could give her a ukulele she could take back home and bring to/from her hospital visits. 

On July 8th, Christina De La Peña (AAFH Board Member), Jen Rutili (AAFH Volunteer) and Yoli Alvin (AAFH President) surprised Emma at Lurie’s by presenting her with a brand new pink ukulele!  The pink ukulele was donated by Instrument Exchange-Owner Tom Stading from Batavia, IL. 

Emma was not feeling good when we arrived, however, upon seeing the AAFH Team, she sat up and was very excited to receive her pink ukulele gift.  She said, “I love it!” and “this made my day!” Emma likes to spend time with her large family and she talked to us about her siblings.  She also likes to read and recommended the book called Looking for Alaska by John Greene. 

Emma held the ukulele and played a little bit for us and said she was going to play and sing a lot.  Emma’s happiness was infectious as she made us feel happy also!

UNFORGETTABLE EVENING AT THE “UNDER THE SUMMER SKY” ROOFTOP CONCERT

We want to give a special thank you to everyone who attended the ”Under the Summer Sky” Rooftop Concert in honor and in celebration of Alyssa, our beloved daughter’s life and in whose name our Foundation is named after.

It’s always a great experience to partner with the RMH in Chicago.  This was a special place for Alyssa and for her parents as it gave us the opportunity to stay as close as possible to her during her stay at Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

We are grateful for the music contribution by the School of Rock from Elmhurst, IL which was fabulous!  Some of the cover songs they played included Paradise City, Hotel California, Don’t Let Me Down, Money, Call Me and War Pigs.  It was a wonderful evening of music and delicious food at the Taco Bar, we hope everyone enjoyed it.  We thank the donors of all the food ingredients that made this a delicious meal!

We appreciate the businesses for their donations of the silent auction items and the winners of the auction for their generous donations. The Little Traveler, Janet Kral (Cole Haan Handbag), Old Towne Pub & Eatery, Geneva Spice House, Villa Verone, Kernel Gourmet Popcorn, Kevin Cervantes (Aurora Borealis over Chicago), Alvin Family (Alyssa’s Geisha Collage, Kate Spade Wallet, Brighton Jewelry and Chianti’s Wine Basket) and El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant.

A special THANK YOU to all our volunteers who helped make this a successful event: Rafael, Jen, Christina C., Christina D., Denise, Marianne, Mary Jane, Nancy A., Nancy G., Gracie, Grace, Lori, Sarah, Isabella, Vince, Carmen, Maria (Tia Licha), Adrienne, Tara, Daniel and Marina.  A big "shout out" to Rafael for manning the grill and cooking the steak and chicken to perfection!

A note of recognition to one of our gift recipients, Elijah Rivers, for sharing his story with our guests.

We cannot do this alone but with all of us together, we can give HOPE through Music & Art to teens and young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening illnesses.

We want to share some of the photos from the Rooftop Concert and video of the event.  We hope everyone had an enjoyable time!

CLICK ON PLAY BUTTON FOR THE ROOFTOP CONCERT VIDEO

Cool Teal Dr. Dre Beats for Lauren

Lauren is a 17 year old girl from Bement, IL.  Lauren was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma tumor right before Christmas on December 23, 2015.  She has had two neurosurgeries but her tumor cannot be removed as it is wrapped around the pituitary stalk.  So instead of additional neurosurgery, Lauren’s tumor is being treated with radiation at the Chicago Proton Center in Warrenville, IL.

We met Lauren at the Art Night held at RMH in Winfield while she was staying there in June.  Lauren and her Mom, Michelle, participated in the sculpey clay handprint and footprint activity and had much fun doing it!

On June 30, Carmen Ziegler-AAFH Board member and her daughter, Sarah, who was Alyssa’s friend since childhood, delivered Lauren’s teal colored Dr. Dre Beats headphones.  In the afternoon of June 30, Lauren had been released from Lurie Children’s Hospital and sent for her radiation appointment in the evening.   After a long day, Lauren and Michelle were back at the RMH in Winfield and she was surprised and happy when she received her brand new headset.

Amber Happy with Her Art Package

Amber is an 18-year old girl who lives with her family in Dolton, IL.  Amber was diagnosed in February 1998 with cystic fibrosis and is being treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.  We heard of Amber through Danielle, a registered Art Therapist on staff at Advocate Children’s Hospital.  Amber is admitted to Advocate once a month for treatment and in between visits the Advocate Children’s Hospital for maintenance procedures.   When Amber found out about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope, she was glad when Danielle helped her complete our Gift Request Form in early June 2016.

Some of the things Amber likes to do include writing about ideas she has for movies.  She likes to play with her puppy when she’s at home.  She loves to do word search puzzles and enjoys traveling.  Amber wants to learn art techniques and Danielle is going to teach her when she is inpatient at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

On Tuesday, June 28th, Yoli visited Amber to deliver her professional art kit and easel. Amber was alone in her room and sitting on her bed waiting for us to arrive.   When Yoli presented Amber her art package, Amber asked Yoli if she could give her a hug.  This was a very special moment.  Amber said she was very appreciative of her art package from AAFH.  Amber said, “this makes me happy!” She will now be able to do art while hospitalized with this portable easel.   She was happy to take pictures with Yoli and grateful for all the art supplies - 24 acrylic paints, graphite pencils, canvas boards and looks forward to expressing herself in art!

We are encouraged by Amber’s strong will and we pray for her health.  We look forward to seeing her artwork!

SCULPEY CLAY ACTIVITY AT RMH WINFIELD, IL

On Thursday, June 16, 2016, the Kohl's Associates in Action (AiA) arrived at RMH in Winfield to volunteer and help the families make their handprints and footprints using the sculpey clay donated to AAFH from Denice Steinman, Chairman & Owner of Polyform Company in Elk Grove Village, IL.

Among the moms and children who participated in the sculpey clay activity were Brandy with her toddler, Uriah, along with Melana and her children, Drew (patient), Cooper and Megan.  They enjoyed making imprints of their hands and/or feet!

Lauren, a 17 year old patient staying at the RMH made her handprint while her mom, Michelle, made her footprint.  Both of them had lots of fun with this activity! While the imprinted clay was baked in the oven, Lauren was excited to hear about the Gift Recipient Program offered by AAFH and completed her form and submitted it that evening.  Michelle wrote, "it is so nice to hear of the wonderful things Alyssa's Foundation is doing for others just like my daughter, Lauren, and we thank you for your generosity."

The Kohl's AiA volunteers also helped prepare the AAFH logo on Alyssa SAKs!  One of the AiA volunteers, Shannon, asked if we could do this activity at the RMH in Oak Lawn, IL as her friend is staying there and she thought it would be a fun activity for her young adult friend too!  The date has been set and the AAFH is going to conduct a Sculpey Clay Activity at the RMH in Oak Lawn with some of the AiA volunteers participating in this event as well!

Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers, we appreciate YOU!

Alejandro & His Fender Guitar!

We first heard of Alejandro through Julie Przeslicke, MT-BC Music Therapist, at Advocate Children’s Hospital of Oak Lawn, IL. Alejandro is a 17-year old teen who was originally diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September 2014.  Alejandro relapsed in January 2016, but continues to love music and enjoys playing the guitar.  He is a junior high school student and lives with his family in Oak Lawn, IL.  Alejandro learned how to play the guitar in high school and borrows a guitar when he is at school since he does not have one of his own. 

Julie said, “Alejandro is a natural musician.  He really focuses on learning and is a talented teen with a very positive attitude”.   

In response to Alejandro’s gift request, Mary Jane Johnson-AAFH Board member and Yoli-AAFH President delivered to Alejandro a new Fender acoustic guitar, guitar stand and other guitar accessories on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.  Alejandro’s younger brother and his grandparents from Bolivia were with him in his inpatient room when we presented Alejandro with his gift.  His grandma said, “gracias por darle la guitara a mi nieto y hacerlo muy feliz”. 

The entire family was really happy and joyful, and Alejandro just kept on smiling and telling us he now had lots of plans with his Fender guitar. Julie helped Alejandro tune the guitar and it was then ready for him to play for us! 

Alejandro was very appreciative in receiving his gift! We hope Alejandro will share some of his music soon.