Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Presents a Certificate of Recognition to AAFH

A Recognition Ceremony for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) was held at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. The ceremony was coordinated by Dr. Martha Juarez, an AAFH Board Member, and the Directors of Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. Yoli-President and George-Vice President of AAFH were present at the ceremony to graciously receive the recognition award.

Yoli met Dra. Martha and Dr. Christian Hawa 5 years ago during Yoli’s first visit to Guadalajara in November 2015. Since then, Dra. Martha & Dr. Christian have continued to promote the AAFH and the music and art services made available to young oncology patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. The Hospital Civil de Guadalajara is comprised of two hospital units, the old Fray Antonio Alcalde Hospital and the new Dr Juan I. Menchaca Hospital, both are located in the center of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

A welcome event was given by the leaders of the hospitals: Dr. Benjamín Becerra Rodríguez, Director of Nuevo (new) Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca” and Dr. Rafael Santana Ortiz, Director of Antiguo (old) Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Fray Antonio Alcalde”.

In the audience were 13 of the young patients who were to receive a gift from AAFH. Others in the audience included various doctors and supporting staff. Yoli spoke to the audience about the AAFH mission, our art & music services, and the gift recipient program available for teens and young adult patients receiving treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

During this trip to Guadalajara, AAFH delivered six guitars, two keyboards, one violin and four headphones to the young patients through our gift giving program. Twenty Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were also donated to the hospitals for their young patients!

We wish to thank Dr. Martha, her husband Hugo, her daughter-Nadia and staff member-Karla for their volunteering efforts in helping us purchase and deliver these gifts for the patients.

Finally, Dr. Teresita Villaseñor Cabrera, Head of Psychology. and Dr. Mario Segura Ortega, Chief of the Paramedic Services Division of the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Fray Antonio Alcalde” presented Yoli with a plaque of Recognition to Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope in recognition of our Foundation’s spirit of service, commitment and philanthropy, by our donations of art materials and musical instruments for the benefit of children and adolescents who are being treated in the Oncology and Hematology services of the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.

The event ended with the presentation of gifts to each young recipient. Below are pictures of the recipients with their gifts.

Successful Fundraiser - 2020 La Fiesta de Arte

On Sunday, October 4th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) hosted the 6th annual Fiesta de Arte at El Molcajete Restaurant in Geneva, IL. The fundraising event included a silent auction featuring a local artist’s work along with various gift baskets donated by friends, supporters, and local businesses. Guests mingled while being fed delicious appetizers and beverages. The StringWorks Quartet from Geneva performed beautiful music for everyone’s enjoyment.

This year’s featured artist, Fatima Figueiredo, lives in Geneva and was born in Brazil. She displayed beautifully painted scenes of nature including fantastic colored works of the Fabyan Japanese Garden along the Fox River in Geneva. Fatima had a previous commitment, but her involvement was made possible by AAFH Board Member, Mary Jane Johnson & her husband, Larry Johnson. Mary Jane was a high school counselor to Alyssa and a bond was created at that time that carries onto this day. Mary Jane and Larry have both been extraordinarily devoted friends and advocates for Alyssa’s Foundation.

This year, we also featured a piece from one of our gift recipients, Kaylah. Kaylah’s younger brother, Kaleb, also got in on the act and donated paintings that helped us raise funds too. We are very grateful to them and we were happy to see their Mom, Damaris, attend La Fiesta de Arte.

We thank StringWorks’ owners Evan & Ibby Lowery, along with musicians, Andrew Ladendorf, Sarah Struebing and Carolyn Berger for donating their performance to our cause. StringWorks is a musical instrument store specializing in violins, violas and cellos.

Alyssa was a skilled violinist and pianist who also developed an interest in the visual arts. These were the activities she loved and became even more important to Alyssa during her cancer treatment. We recognized that there was an important niche to fill in providing critically ill young people with creative outlets and that is why we created Alyssa’s Foundation. Through the work of AAFH and our community of friends and supporters, we carry on Alyssa’s legacy of love for the arts.

Thanks go out to all who attended, our sponsors and supporters of this year’s event, especially to our venue host, El Molcajete Restaurant! Please click here SPONSORS for a listing of all our sponsors and supporters.

Yarn, Needles & Colored Pencils for Andrea - Lurie Children’s Hospital

A gift delivery of crafts and art supplies was made to Stephanie Aaron - Social Worker at Lurie Children’s Hospital in downtown Chicago on Friday, September 25, 2020.

The gift had been requested by Andrea, a 14-year-old, receiving treatment at Lurie Children’s Hospital since March 2020 since being diagnosed with T-myeloid leukemia. Andrea is preparing for a stem cell transplant, so we were not able to meet her in person when her yarn, needles, colored pencil and paper were delivered.

When she was admitted to Lurie’s, Andrea heard about AAFH from Stephanie and was excited to submit her gift request through our website. Andrea could not wait to receive her materials so she could begin with her yarn and needles.

Andrea lives in Palatine, IL with her family and she loves to listen to music and create art. Stephanie said, “Andy uses art to help cope during her prolonged admissions for chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants.

We are grateful to share Alyssa’s creative passion for art and music with other young patients who are undergoing their cancer treatment and provide them with hope and creative outlets.

Kayli Receives Her Professional Art Materials

On a sunny Wednesday morning, September 16, 2020, at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, George Alvin, Alyssa’s Dad and AAFH VP, met with Kayli and her mom, Kaymi. George delivered a professional art supplies kit to Kayli, a 19-year-old with leukemia, before she entered the hospital for her ongoing chemo treatment that day.

Kayli loves to paint, draw, crafts, sing and is learning to play guitar and piano! Both Kayli and her mom expressed much joy in receiving this gift. Kayli also said she would be sharing her gift with her younger siblings so all can express their creativity in the arts.

We hope this gift of art brings much joy to Kayli and her family. We are grateful to make a small impact on the lives of young adults like Kayli to let them know they are not alone in their fight against these life-threatening diseases.

We will continue to share Alyssa’s passion for art and music to other young people who are undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses and in doing so give them hope through a creative outlet.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Delnor Hospital in Geneva

Mary Jane Johnson-Board Member of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits to Delnor Hospital – Northwestern Medicine in Geneva, Il on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Alyssa went to Delnor Hospital for a few medical treatments and we are happy to give some of Alyssa Starter Art Kits for any young patients being treated at Delnor.

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope was created to give hope and provide outlets for creative expression through art and music for young patients dealing with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Alyssa’s inspiration continues to bring other young patients the opportunity to experience with different art mediums like watercolors, acrylics, drawing, coloring, and journaling.

Delivery of Alyssa Starter Art Kits to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago

Edie Morris, Art Therapist at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in downtown Chicago received our donation of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on Sunday, September 13, 2020. These Alyssa SAKs are available for free to young patients going through a life-threatening illness during their treatment and therapy. The Ability Lab, formerly known as the Rehabilitation Center, is where Alyssa was treated before the new facility opened.

We delivered an assortment of Alyssa Starter Art Kits including Coloring kits, Journals, Drawing, Watercolor and Acrylic Paint kits. We make every effort to provide different types of creative expression options that might appeal to youth of different interests, talents, and abilities.

It has been over a year that we last made a delivery to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and our first-time meeting Edie. She seemed to immediately grasp what Alyssa’s Foundation is all about. Edie expressed how the healing process is a team effort involving medical staff, family members and therapists to mention only a few. AAFH has always understood that the artistic outlet that we provide has powerful inspirational and immeasurable impacts on the youth we serve.

We are very happy to provide these opportunities to the children and young adults we serve in Alyssa’s memory.

Headphones for Jose & Luis

Two young patients at Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico received music headphones from the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. Jose, a 19-year-old, received his gift on July 21, 2020 and Luis, a 16-year-old received his on September 8, 2020. Jose is being treated for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Luis is being treated for testicular cancer.

Dra. Martha, AAFH board member, delivered both gifts to Jose and Luis. Both young patients were happy to receive their headphones for listening to music at home and the hospital. We are grateful to Dra. Martha for representing AAFH at the Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde and for bringing smiles to the young patients she identifies for our gift giving program. These gifts are a small gesture on our part, but we hope they bring a bit of hope and joy into the lives of the young patients as they go through their treatments.

Left: Jose

Right: Luis

Professional Art Materials for Kaylah

Kaylah, a 12-year-old, received her professional art supplies gift at her home in South Elgin, Illinois on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Kaylah is receiving treatment for leukemia at Lutheran General Hospital – Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Kaylah was diagnosed last month and while she was at the hospital, she heard about Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope’s (AAFH) gift program from Caitlin Agrawal-Childlife Specialist. Kaylah submitted her online gift request on our website and her professional art supplies gift was promptly assembled. The professional art supplies gift included acrylic and watercolor paints, oil pastels, synthetic and natural hair brushes, charcoal and colored pencils, desk top easel, various media paper for acrylic, watercolor, tracing, sketching, canvas panels, artist carrying case and much more.

When the door at Kaylah’s home opened, we met her Mom-Damaris, her Dad-Luis, Kaylah’s 15-year-old brother, Kadriyel, and younger brother-Kaleb, who was eager to show us his own pieces of artwork too.

Kaylah has been painting art most of her life along with her siblings and received instruction from their Dad who also enjoys being creative and writing Calligraphy. Her Mom, Damaris, had worked at Kaylah’s school and now devotes her time to Kaylah’s care as well as keeping up their beautiful home. Damaris was proud to show us some of Kaylah’s art journals as well as paintings of positive messages that Kaylah did. The whole family was there to greet us and share in Kaylah’s excitement of receiving her professional art supplies gift.

The special home deliveries allow us a glimpse into the lives of the youth that we serve through Alyssa’s foundation. As we interacted with this loving family, we could feel Alyssa’s spirit in our presence. We are grateful to share Alyssa’s creative passion for art and music to other young people who are undergoing their treatment for life-threatening illnesses and provide them with hope and a constructive outlet.

Gifts Delivered to Cynthia & Ana

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) fulfilled the gift requests of 2 young adult patients, Cynthia, and Ana, at Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dra. Martha, AAFH board member, delivered a keyboard to Cynthia, 19 years old, and headphones to Ana, also 19 years old, on August 31, 2020. Both are being treated for leukemia.

The two young women were happy to receive their gifts. We are grateful to Dra. Martha for representing AAFH at the Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde and for bringing smiles to the young patients she identifies for our gift giving program. These gifts are a small gesture on our part, but we hope they bring a bit of hope and joy into the lives of the young patients as they go through their treatments.

Left: Cynthia

Right: Ana

Lefty Guitar for Katheryne Delivered at Advocate Children’s Hospital

Katheryne and her Mom, Tracy, arrived at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL early on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 to receive her left-handed ¾ guitar before getting treatment at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. Katheryne was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2020 and receives her medical treatments at Advocate Children’s Hospital. Tracy drives Katheryne from Morris, IL where she lives with her parents and three older brothers.

While at Advocate, Katheryne met Lori Mackey from Art Therapy and Julie Przeslicke from Music Therapy and found out about Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. She was thrilled that we could honor her gift request and we were equally happy to do it. In June, Katheryne submitted her special guitar request and upon receiving it, AAFH placed the special ¾ size left-handed guitar order from Instrument Exchange in Batavia, IL.

Katheryne, a 13-year-old, enjoys drawing, painting, singing, performing, and playing her ukulele. She says, “people know me as the artsy girl”. In addition to preparing for another school year, Katheryne taught herself to play and write songs on the ukulele. She now intends to learn to play the guitar with assistance from the music therapists at Advocate.

With all the challenges we have faced this year, it is even more rewarding to bring hope to young cancer patients through Alyssa’s Foundation and in memory of our beautiful daughter, Alyssa.

Donna Receives Her Professional Art Package & Delivery of Alyssa SAKs

Early Monday morning on August 17, 2020, Donna, a 12-year-old, arrived at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL accompanied by her mom, Linda. Donna was scheduled to receive chemo treatment at the hospital.

Donna had been diagnosed two months earlier with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While at Advocate Children’s Hospital for a previous treatment, she became aware of the gift recipient program offered by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH). Donna loves to draw and requested a kit of professional art supplies from AAFH. Lupe Brueck (AAFH Volunteer) and Yoli (Alyssa’s Mom) delivered Donna’s gift of art supplies prior to her receiving medical treatment.

On the same day, AAFH delivered 40 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Advocate Children’s Hospital. Due to the Covid-19, we were unable to see Kate-Child life staff, however, Donna’s mom, Linda, offered to deliver the Alyssa SAKs on our behalf.

We are very grateful the Child Life Department is 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 Foundation’s efforts.

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.