Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital – St. Pete’s

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL on Monday, August 3, 2020. Executive Officers of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope: Yoli Alvin-President, George Alvin-VP/Treasurer and accompanied by Alyssa’s grandmother, Carmen Alvin. We were greeted by Ryan, a Child Life Staff member.

100 SAKs of five different variations were donated to the hospital. The SAKs consisted of acrylic, watercolor, drawing, ocean coloring books and journal kits. These kits will help bring a bit of joy and hope to those children going through a difficult time during their treatments for life threatening diseases.

Ryan accepted the SAKs on behalf of Kristen Maier, Director of ChildLife at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Kristen and her staff are looking forward to sharing the Alyssa SAKs with the young patients and our brochures with the Oncology nurses and staff to ensure more children are able to take advantage of our music and art gift recipient programs.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Delivered to CDH Children’s Hospital

50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Central DuPage Children’s Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, IL on Monday, June 8, 2020 by Yoli-Alyssa’s mom and the President of The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH). The delivery was received by Bridget Hussey and a Child Life staff intern.

Mia Deroin, PEDS/PICU Child Life Specialist contacted AAFH in May informing us that the young patients and their families at CDH Children’s Hospital have been really benefiting from utilizing the incredible Alyssa SAKs provided by our Foundation.

Mia said, “the young patients love the acrylic, watercolor and adult coloring kits the best and we are absolutely grateful and appreciate the support you provide to us so much!”.

We know that Mia, Bridget, Dora, Allie, and the rest of the Child Life Team will do great work with the teens and young adult oncology patients that they serve at CDH Children’s Hospital.

Alyssa’s spirit and her love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts. We have met so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals and most importantly, the young patients and the family members. AAFH is ready to serve many more young patients throughout the rest of this year.

Acoustic Guitar & Alyssa SAKs Delivered at Advocate Children’s Hospital

On Friday, June 12, 2020, Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered an acoustic guitar to the father of a young adult oncology patient accompanied by Julie Przeslicke, Music Therapist-Board Certified at Advocate Children’s Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL.   Julie shared our gift giving program with Anthony, a 22-year-old, while being treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital. Anthony has been using guitar lessons while in hospital as a positive means of coping and self expression.  Julie said, “He is excited about continuing to learn, thanks to the generosity of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope!" .

On that same day, 30 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Advocate Children’s Hospital. The SAKs were received by Art Therapist, Lori Mackey. We are very grateful to the Child Life, Creative Arts Therapies and Education Department for sharing Alyssa SAKs with the young adult oncology patients they serve.

Alyssa’s spirit and her love for art and music continue to inspire our Foundations’ efforts to impart hope and joy to children and young adults with life threatening illnesses. We have met so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals, the volunteers and most importantly, the young patients and the family members that we serve.

It is a blessing for us to have the opportunity to collaborate with Advocate Children’s Hospital in support of their oncology patients during their treatment process! To witness a patient experiencing the joy of learning a new instrument and the confidence to develop a new means of creative self-expression is an invaluable opportunity, for which we are so grateful!

A Great Day for La Fiesta de Musica

On Sunday, June 14, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) gathered on the patio of the Green Street Grille in Bensenville, IL to celebrate the annual La Fiesta de Musica. The beautiful day and spacious patio allowed us to conduct our raffle drawing comfortably and safely. Our guests enjoyed some delicious food and refreshing beverages.

This year there about a dozen people ventured out of their homes and were happy to get out for a little while for such an important cause to bring joy and hope with our music & art programs for children and young adult patients going through their cancer journey. The raffle was a huge success with all 500 tickets being sold prior to this day. AAFH raised approximately $3,200 for our music & art programs. We appreciate everyone who purchased raffle tickets and for the many small business owners who made donations for AAFH’s fundraising event such as Green Street Grille, Creative Staffing, Pacella Trucking Company, Base Salon Chicago, Kathy De’s Deli and C & C Insurance Solutions, LLC.

There were 3 prize winners: The grand prize, $1,000 in cash was won by Roxanne Polyakov, a former co-worker and close friend of Yoli. Not only was Roxanne in attendance but both her children, David and Rochelle, were also a part of AAFH’s fundraising event and have volunteered for previous events. They were so excited to win and no doubt have plans on how to spend the winnings!

The second-place prize, $500 in cash, was won by Robert Gierut also a regular supporter of Alyssa’s foundation. The third-place prize, a 55" HDTV, was won by Jo Ann Duncker who is a new supporter of Alyssa’s foundation.

A barbecue basket and gift certificate donated by Michael Munro, Green Street Grille owner, were raffled and Mary Jane (AAFH board member) won the barbecue basket and Maria won the restaurant gift certificate.

Special thanks go to Michael Munro, a former colleague of Yoli. Mike went above and beyond in his generosity making sure that all who attended ate well. We also want to thank Daniel Guerrero, AAFH Board member who coordinated the 2nd La Fiesta de Musica fundraising event and for all the board members who helped us sell tickets.

Of course, all our efforts are in fulfilling the mission of AAFH in bringing hope and joy to young people facing life-threatening illnesses by providing them with art materials and musical equipment to express their creative side. These are the activities that our Alyssa enjoyed so much, and we are grateful to carry on her spirit through the Foundation's mission.

AAFH Delivers Guitar to Daniel & Alyssa SAKs to the Chicago Proton Center

On Monday, June 1, 2020, we presented Daniel with the acoustic guitar he had requested via our website three days before.

Daniel is a 14-year-old from South Bend, Indiana, where his father, Charlie, just finished a year-long fellowship at the University of Notre Dame. Daniel was accompanied to the Proton Center by his mother, Jodie, who also has 4 other children. Jodie told us that she and her husband adopted Daniel and another boy in China while Charlie was conducting research there several years earlier.

Daniel enjoys books, soccer and frisbee and recently has found a love for art and music while undergoing cancer treatment. Jodie, gave us a beautiful thank you note signed by her and Daniel upon receiving his gift. Daniel broke into a huge smile when we presented him with the guitar.

We also made a delivery of 30 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Chicago Proton Center in Warrenville, Illinois. The Alyssa SAKs were received by Eileen, a Child Life Coordinator. The Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) included watercolor and acrylic paint kits as well as drawing and journal kits.

As the whole world struggles in these difficult times, we find hope in bringing joy to young children like Daniel and his family. Through our Foundation, we are joyful in remembering Alyssa’s spirit, her love of the arts and her desire to inspire and help others.

Headphone Gifts to Leonardo, Santiago, Andres & Jose

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) brought joy and hope to 4 young adult cancer patients by fulfilling their gift requests at Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dra. Martha, AAFH board member, delivered headphones to Leonardo, 19, and Santiago, 19, on May 8, 2020, Andres, 20, on May 28, 2020 and Jose, 18, on May 29, 2020. Leonardo and Santiago are being treated for testicular cancer. Andres is undergoing treatment for thrombocytopenia plus TDH. Jose is being treated for non-hodgkin's lymphoma.

The four young recipients expressed their gratitude for the headphone gifts. We are also grateful for the opportunity to bring smiles to their faces with these gifts and more importantly, to bring hope and a bit of joy into their lives as they go through their medical treatments.

Top: Leonardo - Santiago

Bottom: Andres - Jose

Kassidy Receives Her Blue Diamond Head Ukulele

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) fulfilled a gift request for a Blue Diamond Head Ukulele by 6-year-old, Kassidy. The ukulele was delivered to Kassidy on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia where she is being treated. Due to Kassidy’s condition, she was not able to personally accept her gift but her mom, Cara, graciously accepted the delivery of the Blue Diamond Head Ukulele.

Kassidy lives in Channahon, IL with her big sister, mom and dad. She is in kindergarten and was diagnosed in March 2020. Kassidy likes to sing, dance, play music and wants to learn to play the ukulele. Kassidy was introduced to playing the ukulele while in the hospital for treatment and she is excited to have received one from AAFH.

Thanks to Amy Diamond – Lurie Children’s social worker, Kassidy and her parents were told about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and submitted her gift request through our website. It is our pleasure to honor gift requests of musical instruments in keeping with Alyssa’s passion for music and our Foundation’s mission. Thank you to Instrument Exchange for donating the Blue Diamond Head Ukulele for Kassidy!

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Delivered to Lurie Children’s Hospital

It’s been about a month since we made our last delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago on Friday, February 28, 2020.

Due to Covid-19, we are temporarily stopping all of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope activities and events. Our Spring fundraising event, La Fiesta de Musica, will be rescheduled for later in the 2nd quarter of 2020. In conjunction with the Spring fundraising event, raffle ticket sales will continue and culminate at the rescheduled La Fiesta de Musica.

We hope you all stay healthy and safe with your family.

The delivery of 50 Alyssa SAKs was received by Art Therapists of Children Services, Willow Messier and her newly hired assistant, Giuseppina Impellizzeri. Some of you remember Willow’s name as she was one of Alyssa’s art therapists during her stay at Lurie’s.

Willow was also particularly important in helping us develop the Alyssa Starter Art Kits. She guided us in selecting the appropriate supplies contained within each kit. We are very grateful to Willow and know that she and Giuseppina will do great work with the teens and young adult oncology patients that they serve in the hospital.

Alyssa’s spirit and her love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts. We have met so many wonderful people, the professional staff , the volunteers and most importantly, the young patients and family members we serve.

Percussion Night at RMH near Advocate Children’s Hospital

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held a Music Night at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

Immediately prior to that we also made a delivery of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the art therapist, Lori Mackey at Advocate Children’s Hospital located across the street from RMH. Lori is a friend dedicated to our mission who we have worked with for several years. It was good catching up with her again and to hear how this hospital continues helping the inpatient children staying there.

At the RMH, we arrived early and met the new evening House Manager, Margaret, who started only a month ago. She was happy to accept our donation of 50 Alyssa SAKs including journals, drawing kits, coloring books as well as acrylic and watercolor paint kits.

The instruments were set out in anticipation of the children joining in the music night following their dinner. We chatted with the parents and told them about our Foundation’s mission of bringing hope through music and art, and the joys that Alyssa experienced throughout her life through these creative mediums.

On this evening, there were only parents having dinner but no children. Margaret informed us that the children were too ill and at the hospital across the street. We then offered the parents art kits to take back to their children and they graciously accepted.

When the tears welled up in one of the mom’s eyes as she told us about her child being born with heart defects, it was clear that she was grateful to have someone to share her story with.

Even without seeing a single child on this evening, we knew that the time we spent with the parents and the kits that would later be given to the children would be impactful. Each event we hold continues spreading Alyssa’s love for life and the healing power of art and music.

Rock Painting Art Night with Patients at RMH near Lurie Children’s Hospital

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night on Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. We brought paintable rocks with stenciled shapes for the children and their family members to decorate.

Participation at this event was great with the Kenyetta’s three young children – Mariyal, King and Keely; Laci’s son, Robert; Brooke’s son, Sailor; and Gia’s son, Michael.

The age range of the children was from 1 to 11 with the families coming from Illinois, Florida and Arizona. While all the children and their parents enjoyed themselves thoroughly, 11-year-old Michael distinguished himself by being the first to arrive and the last to leave. Not only did he paint several rock pieces, but he was very generous with his offer to help us set up and break down the art supplies for the event. Michael told us he was going to visit the AAFH website and plans to submit a Gift Request.

Each of the children were also able to take home at least one of 5 different types of Alyssa Starter Art Kits we donated to this RMH. The 50 donated kits included journals, sketch pads, coloring books and acrylics as well as watercolor paint supplies.

Alyssa never tired of her joy for life and her desire to express her creativity through art and music. We never tire of seeing the joy we bring to other children and their family members when we bring art and music to them at these events.

100 Women Who Care

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope was awarded a generous donation in the amount of $6,750 from the St. Charles 100 Women Who Care. 100 Women Who Care is an organization founded by Susan Liechti, Lori Linkimer, and others. The organization has fewer than 100 members and is currently seeking more memberships.

The Mission of the organization is to make an impact on the community by each woman donating $100 to a local charity selected at a meeting. The group meets once per quarter and, within an hour’s time, money is awarded to a local charity. At each meeting, three members are chosen randomly to present their choice of a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization they wish to nominate for consideration. The three members are given 5 minutes each to present their charity to the group. Afterwards, the group votes on which charity will receive the support.

Debbie Carr and Joanna Martin presented Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) on Monday, January 20, 2020 at the WWC meeting. After the presentations, the group voted by ballot and the ballots were tallied. AAFH organization was the charity with the most votes and won the proceeds from that evening.

We are grateful to Debbie and Joanna who believe in the healing power of music and art for the young patients going through life-threatening diseases. It is organizations like 100 WWC who help us continue bringing joy and hope to teens and young adult patients every day through our music and art programs.

Thursday, February 29, 2020, Susan, Lori, Debbie, and Joanna stopped by the Alvin Residence in Geneva, IL, to deliver the $6,750 donation checks. We thank all the 100 Women Who Care from St Charles and wish you a wonderful Year!

Bringing Art to Braiden

After Braiden got home from school, Yoli – Alyssa’s mom & President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) surprised Braiden by delivering his gift request of professional art materials to his home in Oswego, IL on Monday, February 3, 2020.

Braiden is being treated at Central DuPage Children’s Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, IL. He was diagnosed with high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and receives chemo outpatient treatment at CDH on a regular basis.

Braiden found out about AAFH’s art and music program from Katie at the Ronald McDonald House across the street from CDH. Braiden was very excited and asked his mom, Sheri, to contact us and find out if he could receive art materials from AAFH. Braiden enjoys the arts and crafts and asked for an art easel and bag to hold all his art supplies. Braiden plans on sharing his art supplies with his 5 siblings so all can enjoy their creativity with each other.

We couldn’t think of a better way to begin the week than sharing Alyssa’s love of art with another young patient and his family. The happiness that we see on the smiling faces of our recipients is a wonderful reminder that we are fulfilling the mission of Alyssa’s foundation and giving Hope to the gift recipients.

Jack Receives a Drum Kit for His Birthday

On Saturday, February 1st, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered a Simmons SD200 Electronic Drum Kit to Jack, an 11-year-old from Villa Park, IL. Jack submitted a gift request to our website after finding out about our Foundation through Anna Nanniceli, who supports the Oncology Department at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and talks to young patients while undergoing treatments there.

Jack is a sixth-grade student who excels in his schoolwork and has an interest in learning how to play piano and drums. Jack was diagnosed with Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) in June 2019 and is regularly treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital. During the gift delivery we met Jack’s parents, Tony and Lindsay, as well as his younger brother who goes by the nickname, “Q”. Jack and his family were thrilled to receive the drum kit and look forward to setting it up for Jack to begin playing.

We are grateful to see the smile and happiness our music gift brought to Jack a day before his birthday.

In memory of Alyssa, we carry on the Foundation’s mission of bringing music and art to young patients every day!

Valentine's Day Themed Art Night at RMH – Winfield, IL

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night at the RMH in Winfield, IL. on Thursday, January 23, 2020. It was a Valentine’s Day themed event as we painted heart-shaped boxes, picture frames and heart-shaped wood hanging decorations.

As it usually occurs, we had different sets of participants, young patients and parents joining in on the fun of creating personalized art works. Sometimes the parents begin by assisting their child but, before long, the parent is also focused on creating their individual pieces.

On this evening, we had two mother-daughter artists (Denise/Destinee and Yolanda/Daisy) and one mother-son group (Christina/Brody) having fun and expressing their own version of Valentine’s Day themes. It’s a beautiful sight to behold when you can see the smiles that spontaneously emerge on the faces of the artists as they often surprise themselves with their creations.

Alyssa’s own artistic talent (besides her gift for music displayed at an early age) emerged fully during art therapy sessions while receiving her medical treatment at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. It was and continues to be a source of great joy to see what she created at that time. And it makes us happy to share her passions with others during their difficult times.

Percussion Music Afternoon at RMH near Loyola - Hines, IL

On Sunday, January 26th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held a Music percussion event at the RMH near Loyola Medical Center in Hines, IL. Our AAFH Executive Secretary, Denise, & her husband, Johnny, together with Yoli started the event mid-afternoon. They were soon joined by a couple of young girls each accompanied by one of their parents.

Gloria, 11 years old and accompanied by her mother, Adriana, were from Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico just across the Texas border. Devani, 12 years old was joined by her father Ezequiel, and were from San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Devani in particular was hesitant to try out the various percussion instruments we brought along. Before long, though, both girls were making a joyful racket banging away at the various drums, cowbells, xylophones and other percussive instruments.

Devani and Gloria soon moved onto other play activities and we had a chance to talk to their parents and learn a little more about them. Both girls are being treated at the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Oak Park, IL. Due to the unavailability of these treatments in Mexico, both families were the beneficiaries of the generosity of the Shriners, another charitable organization that we greatly admire for their decades of service on behalf of seriously ill children throughout the world.

Sometimes our art and music events are this simple – a couple of children slowly warming up to our presence, engaging with whatever activity we have, smiling, laughing and talking with the other families – all in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa.

Bringing Music to Young Patients at RMH East in St. Petersburg

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope with assistance by Alexis, Alyssa’s cousin, held a percussion music event on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) East near All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins in St. Petersburg, FL for the young patients and their families staying at the RMH.

A variety of percussion instruments such as the music triangle, music sticks, two-tone wooden block, tambourine, maracas, xylophone and Spanish castanets were brought so the patients and their families could enjoy.

As we were setting up the musical instruments in the Bubble Room, young patients staying at the RMH started coming over and quickly started playing some of the percussion instruments they liked. The children made different sounds with the instruments and expressed their joy with the smiles on their faces.

We are ever thankful for the opportunity to share Alyssa’s love for music with these young patients and their families as they go through their own medical journey.

Gifts Presented to Young Adult Patients in Mexico

Dra. Martha Juarez, as Board member and volunteer for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH), started the new year by meeting with two young adult patients diagnosed with leukemia at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara-Fray Antonio Alcalde in Jalisco, Mexico. She spoke to them about the AAFH and offered them a musical or art gift of their choice. She assisted them with formalizing their requests through our website and quickly delivered their gifts while still in-patient at the hospital.

On January 13, 2020, Sandivel Lopez, a 20-year-old, received the black ukulele he had requested.

On January 15, 2020, Fatima Gabriela, a 19-year-old, received professional art supplies she had requested.

Many thanks to Dra. Martha for expeditiously arranging for the delivery of the gifts to Sandivel and Fatima. We are grateful to Dra. Martha for her continued commitment to the goals and mission of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.

AAFH 2019 Accomplishments

It was a very busy 2019 for AAFH, we welcomed Dra. Martha Juarez, as our newest member of the AAFH Board in the second quarter. Dra. Martha has been involved with AAFH since November 2016 on Yoli’s first visit to Hospital Civil de Guadalajara when we made the first Alyssa Starter Art Kit delivery. Dra. Martha has been working with Oncology patients for over 25 years at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara and is honored to be part of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. Even though Dra. Martha never met Alyssa, she admires the work being done in her memory and looks forward to continuing her support of the foundation’s mission in Guadalajara, Mexico. She continues to be an active volunteer and participant in the music/art programs established by our foundation. Dra. Martha has taken the lead in coordinating the gift recipient deliveries for teens and young adults at the two Hospital Civils de Guadalajara- Dr. Juan I. Menchaca and Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde.

We held 2 main fundraisers-La Fiesta de Musica in the Spring and La Fiesta de Arte in the Fall of 2019. Both of these events were successful and raised money to fulfill the mission and goals of the organization. We thank the many sponsors and donors for their financial support as we can continue serving the young patients battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

A total of 1,445 Alyssa Starter Art Kits were delivered to 20 hospital and medical institutions plus 8 RMHs in the Chicagoland area, Florida, Barcelona -Spain, San Paolo-Brazil and Mexico. A total of 54 gift recipients received personal gifts of musical instruments, headphones, craft items and professional art supplies in 2019.

Our volunteers provided support in successfully carrying out 15 Art/Music Nights: 6 Art Nights and 9 Music Nights at six RMHs in the Chicagoland area and in St. Petersburg, Florida. We want to thank our volunteers for continuing to assist us in fulfilling our mission and our generous donors for their financial contributions!

We wish everyone a prosperous 2020!

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Volunteers Assemble Alyssa Starter Art Kits

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) employees organized a volunteer team on Monday, December 30, 2019 to create Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) under their Community Partner program in support of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH). A total of 12 volunteers completed 100 Alyssa SAKs!

AAFH earns Matching Dollars for each volunteer hour logged into Blue Corps and has been a community partner since 2016. This volunteer effort was led by Denise Perez-Cabrera, Executive Secretary of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. We appreciate Denise for her dedication to Alyssa’s foundation and the other employees who helped her coordinate this event: Maristella Sacarelos and Marina Herrera.

Besides Maristella and Marina, other volunteers included the following: Amalia De La Rosa, Annette Bilgin, Felice Chang, James Progar, Juan Mendoza, Michael Fernandes, Monica Elliott, Ramon Rivera and Russell Lyon.

Dr. Stephanie Vomvouras -VP at BCBSIL attended to show her support as this is one of Health Care Service Corporation’s (HCSC) LEAD Behaviors - to Foster community involvement and Live Our Purpose. HCSC is parent company of BCBSIL.

The BCBSIL volunteers assembled acrylic paint kits and ocean themed-coloring book kits. These Alyssa SAKs will be delivered to teens and young adults being treated for cancer and other life-threatening diseases at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses across Illinois, Florida, Mexico and Spain.

A big “THANK YOU” to our volunteers from BCBSIL for this great event and for ending 2019 in an uplifting spirit!

A total of 1,375 Alyssa Starter Art Kits were delivered during 2019 and it is only because of YOU, our volunteers! You have our sincere gratitude.

Sharing Alyssa's Love of Barcelona

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) made a delivery of 50 SAKs to Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron & Casa Ronald in Barcelona, Spain on December 17, 2019. We were accompanied by Pilar (Pili) Gavin, a special family friend who Alyssa last visited in Barcelona 6 years ago. Pili took time out of her day to make the necessary contacts and arrangements for the deliveries at these two institutions. We are deeply thankful to Pili for this.

The delivery of 30 Alyssa SAKs was made to an oncology medical team at the hospital-Dr. Lucas Moreno, Esther Diaz, Elena Rubio and Marta Gascon Marti. The delivery of 20 Alyssa SAKs was made to RMH Manager - Mari Carmen Toledo at Casa Ronald at Vall d’ Hebron. A variety of Alyssa SAKs were delivered to each institution such as drawing kits, journal kits, and ocean theme coloring book kits.

We were happy to return to one of Alyssa’s favorite places and share Alyssa’s spirit, her love of the arts and her desire to inspire and help others. We took a side trip to Tossa de Mar, a small town on the Mediterranean Sea just north of Barcelona. Accompanied by the Marquez Gavin family: Diego, Pili, Diego Jr. and Oscar, we sprinkled Alyssa’s ashes along the coast of this small quaint town. This was a special trip to Barcelona which we will always treasure since we share Alyssa’s love for the Mediterranean Sea and her love for the Marquez Gavin family.

*Disclosure: Travel expenditures, i.e., airfare and lodging expenses, were not paid by the AAFH.