Giving Music & Art Gifts to Young Cancer Patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Mexico

Reminder that Giving Tuesday, is coming soon (Tuesday after Thanksgiving). We hope you will consider making a gift donation to Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope to benefit the Music & Art Programs available to young patients between ages 10-21.

During October and November 2021, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH ) continued delivering gifts of Music & Art in Guadalajara, Mexico. AAFH founders George & Yoli Alvin & Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez delivered gifts to seven cancer patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2021, Maria, 15 years-old, received an acoustic guitar.

On October 22, 2021, Yorleny Paz Juarez, 19 years-old, received an art kit. Diego, 19 years-old, received Skull Candy headphones.

On November 4, 2021, Aleydis, 18 years-old, received an art kit. Andres, 21 years-old, also received an art kit.

On November 9, 2021, Julieta, 17 years-old, received an art kit. Ruben, 19 years-old, received a guitar

We are grateful to pass along Alyssa’s love for art and music as she continues to inspire our efforts every day in offering creative outlets and hope to young cancer patients during their extraordinarily challenging times.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) Donated to Loyola University Hospital

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered 75 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Illinois on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

The donation was received by Molly Briody, Child Life Specialist, and two of her colleagues, Kerri Arvidson and Ashley Bednarek. Seven varieties of Alyssa SAKs were included such as journal kits, colored pencil kits, Copic Marker kits, ocean coloring books, and drawing kits as well as watercolor and acrylic paint kits.

Molly and her team noted how the art and music programs offered by AAFH are such a great fit for the target audience of youth dealing with life-threatening illnesses. At a time in their lives when young people are discovering their talents, the creative outlets we provide during these extraordinarily challenging times go a long way towards giving them hope.

We are grateful to pass along Alyssa’s love for art and music and she continues to inspire our efforts every day.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) Donated to Rush Children’s Hospital in Chicago

Rachel, Alyssa’s cousin & volunteer of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH), made a delivery of 75 Alyssa SAKs to Shira Miller -Manager of Childlife and Gina Madonia-Childlife Specialist at Rush Children’s Hospital in Chicago on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Rachel also happens to be an employee at Rush and arrived early on Thursday prior to her morning shift to make this delivery.

Over the last few years, the Rush Child Life team has helped us put Alyssa SAKs in the hands of patients being treated at Rush. This recent delivery included 6 types of art kits: acrylic paints, watercolor paints, ocean coloring books, drawing kits, marker kits, and journal kits.

AAFH 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.

The photos shown here are demonstrations of the efforts by volunteers to positively impact young patients by assembling a variety of art packages donated to the hospital where they are receiving treatment. Alyssa’s inspiration continues to bring our family, friends, and others together in her memory.

Gifts Delivered to Children at Guadalajara Hospitals

In September 2021, Dra. Martha, Board Member of The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH), delivered gifts to ten young patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara and two more at Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Dra. Martha brought joy and hope to Pablo-19 yo, Saul-12 yo, Jonathan- 16 yo, Aylin-16 yo, Luis-18 yo, Bryan-16 yo, Marilyn-13 yo, Brenda-13 yo, Ricardo-16 yo, and Esmeralda. All these young patients are fighting cancer related diseases and we hope these gifts from AAFH will give them comfort and hope during their medical treatments.

We are thankful to Dra. Martha for the love and care she brings to these children and uplifting their spirits during their stays at the hospital.

ROW 1
Left - Right
Pablo - Keyboard
Saul - Keyboard
Jonathan - Acoustic Guitar
Aylin - Acoustic Guitar

ROW 2
Left - Right
Luis - Acoustic Guitar
Bryan - Acoustic Guitar
Marilyn - Violin
Brenda - Acoustic Guitar

ROW 3
Left - Right
Ricardo - Acoustic Guitar
Esmeralda - Xylophone

Donation of Alyssa Starter Art Kits to Shriners Hospital for Children

Mary McCauley – Donation Coordinator for Shriners Hospital for Children (Shriners) in Oak Park, IL received 55 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) from the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) on Thursday, September 16, 2021. It was about a year ago that Shriners received a donation of SAKs from AAFH. Mary mentioned how much the children enjoyed the art kits the AAFH provided the pediatric patients.

The Alyssa SAKs donated were comprised of 6 different types: drawing kits, journal kits, ocean & nature themed coloring kits, watercolor kits, and acrylic paint kits. These art kits were created to allow young patients of different skill levels to immediately begin expressing themselves by creating their own art. This type of therapeutic activity helped our daughter, Alyssa, discover another facet of her own creative spirit at a time when she was facing her health challenges.

Alyssa’s love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts and we are happy to share our gift of Hope.

2021 La Fiesta de Arte -Most Successful Fundraiser!

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held its 7th annual La Fiesta de Arte fundraiser at El Molcajete Restaurant in Geneva, IL on Sunday, September 19,2021. The event was a success thanks to the 75 guests who attended, our local business sponsors and our volunteers! Our guests enjoyed the delicious appetizers and beverages provided by El Molcajete. In addition, our guests were able to bid thru our silent auction on art from local artists and various gift baskets from local businesses & supporters of AAFH. DJ-Rick Guerrero, Alyssa’s cousin, provided lively music for everyone’s entertainment.

This year we featured 2 local artists, Al Oschner-Geneva HS art teacher and Alexandria (Alex) Downing -GHS Senior art student. Both Al & Alex live in Geneva. Alex enjoys creating art and shared her cancer story with the audience along with displaying some of her beautiful artwork. Alex was diagnosed with Stage 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in June 2018 but is now in remission. During the times of her treatments, she continued creating art and more so now to the present. Al is known for drawing caricatures of his subjects and had a line of guests to get their caricature made by him.

We thank Alyssa’s cousin, Rick Guerrero for donating his time to DJ for the cause. Rick has been performing as a DJ since 1985. He has performed in various events be they private, birthdays, weddings, night clubs and radio station 90.5 FM WCYC. Currently, Rick is live streaming his DJ sets on various social media platforms. Visit DJRickGuerrero.com for upcoming events and Live Streams.

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 her during her ongoing cancer treatments. We recognized that there was an important niche to fill in providing critically ill young patients with creative outlets in art and music. That is why we created this Foundation in Alyssa’s memory. Through the work of AAFH and our community of friends and supporters, we carry on Alyssa’s legacy of love for the arts and compassion for others undergoing the same struggles of fighting cancer.

We also want to thank the businesses for their generous donations including: El Molcajete Restaurant, Gia Mia/Livia Restaurants, Riganatos Old World Grille, Fox Jewelers, State Street Jewelers, Liz & Kate Accessory Boutique, Dangles for Women, Instrument Exchange, The Little Traveler, Graham’s Chocolate, Kernels Gourmet Popcorn, 360 Flavors & Spice, Green Street Grille, Colonial Café & Syrup, Anastasia II, Stockholm’s, Preservation, Kat Kotz, Phil Loarie, Amy’s Hallmark and Starbucks in Geneva.

Heartfelt thanks to all the winners of the auction items, DJ-Rick Guerrero, our volunteers and our host sponsor, El Molcajete Restaurant!

We hope you all had a wonderful afternoon and hope to see you at next year’s La Fiesta de Arte 2022!

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Edward Children’s Hospital

Stephanie Hawkinson, volunteer & donor of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered 70 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Edward Children’s Hospital in Naperville, Illinois on Wednesday, September 14, 2021.

We met Nina Sittler, Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for the first time and she shared that Alyssa’s Starter Art Kits are a big hit in the pediatric/oncology unit.  Nina has been with Edward Hospital for 12 years and she informed us that the Alyssa Alvin Foundation is the only charity to provide professional art materials.  

Nicolas Anderson, staff member of the RMH located within Edward Hospital also greeted us and he too is excited to give the Alyssa SAKs to young adult patients  staying at the hospital.

Alyssa’s spirit and her love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts.  During this Covid-19 pandemic, young patients and their family members are grateful and appreciate the art materials provided by our foundation.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Northwestern Hospital - Chicago

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered 75 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Northwestern Hospital in Chicago on Thursday, August 26, 2021.

The delivery was made by Dra. Martha Juarez-AAFH Board Member, Dra. Nadia Acevedo-Dra. Martha’s daughter and Yoli –Alyssa’s mom and AAFH President. Alex Kwait, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) received the art kits. Alex works with the Inpatient Oncology patients at Northwestern Hospital. Alex said, “the art kits are very important for the young adult patients, because visits are restricted due to the corona virus and there is nothing for these patients to do while they are admitted there.”

The donated Alyssa SAKs were comprised of journal kits, drawing kits, adult coloring kits, watercolor kits, acrylic paint kits and pencil kits. All these kits are designed to allow young people of different skill levels to immediately begin expressing themselves by creating art. This type of therapeutic activity helped our daughter, Alyssa, discover another facet of her own creative spirit at a time when she was facing her health challenges.

Alyssa’s love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts and we are happy to share our gift of Hope.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Delnor Hospital in Geneva

On a beautiful morning, Monday, August 18, 2021, Trina Krischor, Child Life Specialist at Delnor Hospital - NW Medicine met Yoli Alvin -President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) and received 35 of the Alyssa Starter Art Kits.

Alyssa went to Delnor Hospital for a few medical treatments, and we are happy to give Alyssa Starter Art Kits for 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, pencil coloring, and journaling.

150 Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital & RMH in Orlando, Florida

George Alvin, AAFH Vice-President and Carmen Alvin, Alyssa’s grandmother delivered 75 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Nikki Kirsch-House Manager at RMH near Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida on Friday, August 6, 2021.

On the same day, Alyssa’s family delivered 75 Alyssa SAKs made to Child Life Staff: Sheri, Emily and Jay at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Both institutions received a variety of professional art kits such as acrylic paint kits, watercolor paint kits, journal kits, ocean coloring book kits, drawing kits, and gel pen kits.

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

Alyssa’s inspiration and foundation continues to bring together our family, friends and others in carrying out our mission in bringing joy and hope to children and young adults in Alyssa’s memory.

80 Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Advocate Children’s Hospital

Yoli Alvin, Vice-President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and Lupe Brueck, AAFH volunteer delivered 80 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, IL on Monday July 19, 2021.

Lupe and Yoli met with Kate and Jamie who will give the Alyssa SAKs to teens and young adult patients receiving treatment at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Kate & Jamie received a variety of art kits: adult coloring book kits, drawing kits, gel pen art kits, journal kits, acrylic art kits and watercolor art kits. The art materials allow the young people to be creative and express themselves in a fun way while being treated for their illnesses.

We are always happy to provide these professional starter art kits in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa, and her passion for art, music, and life.

We thank our donors & volunteers for making this possible!

Volunteers Prepare 620 Alyssa Starter Art Kits

Volunteers from Chicagoland areas assembled 620 Alyssa Starter Art Kits -2nd Quarter 2021

April

Mary & Mike Hansen from Chicago’s south side picked up art materials to assemble 200 adult coloring books and gathered two of their grandchildren, Emily, and Nathan Nelson, who had fun volunteering for this fun project!

Nancy Nunez, Alyssa’s Godmother, from Berwyn, IL along with her twin niece-Leylani Rivera and nephew-Sony Rivera assembled 100 drawing kits.

May

Nadia Tourjman from Chicago’s north side assembled 100 journal kits and has been a regular volunteer for the last 5 years.

Adrienne, Olivia & Katie, Alyssa’s cousins, from Lockport, IL assembled 50 paint kits: 25 acrylic and 25 watercolor kits and have participated in many of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope events over the last 7 years.

June

Hiba Yaso, with assistance from her Mom from Chicago’s north side, assembled 50 journal kits.

July

Five Herrera sisters from Calumet City, IL and St. John, IN assembled 120 journal kits. Photographed are Otilia, Audelia, Mago, Rosas and Marina.

All our volunteers believe in the healing power of art and are happy to prepare the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which are intended for children and young adults going through their own medical journey at local hospitals across the communities we serve.

AAFH thanks everyone for their time and commitment in keeping Alyssa’s legacy of helping other young patients with life-threatening illnesses.

100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits Delivered to CDH Hospital & Proton Center

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered 80 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the Central DuPage Children’s Hospital in Winfield, Illinois and 20 Alyssa SAKs to the Chicago Proton Center on Thursday, July 08, 2021.

The delivery of 100 Alyssa SAKs was received by Mia DeRoin - PEDS/PICU Child Life Specialist. Mia will deliver the 20 Alyssa SAKs to Saige at Proton Center in Warrenville, IL.

Mia, said, “the young patients and their families at CDH Children’s hospital have been really benefiting from utilizing the incredible Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) provided by your foundation. They love the acrylic, watercolor, and adult coloring kits the best. We are absolutely grateful and appreciate the support you provide to our young patients and families”.

We know that the entire Child Life Team will do great work with the teens and young adult oncology patients that they serve at CDH Children’s Hospital & Chicago Proton Center.

Alyssa’s spirit and her love for art and music continue to inspire our efforts. We look forward to serving more young patients in the second half of this year.

80 Alyssa Starter Art Kits Delivered to Advocate Children’s Hospital

Julie Przeslicke and Lori Mackey, Music & Art Therapy Team Members, received the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) from Yoli – President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope on Monday, July 5, 2021.

80 Alyssa SAKs comprised of 7 different mediums were delivered to Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The art mediums included ocean themed coloring book kits, acrylic paint kits, colored pencil kits, drawing kits, journal kits, marker kits and watercolor paint kits.

Julie and Lori are very appreciative of AAFH’s annual donation of these SAKs made available for young adult patients who are eager to work with a variety of art materials.

Alyssa’s love for the arts and music lives on to give other young adult patients the opportunity to express themselves as they go through their own cancer journey.

This puts smiles on the cancer patients’ faces and it gives them hope to continue living and we are glad we can be a part of their journey.

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

Natalie Bilynsky, Recreation Therapist at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in downtown Chicago received our donation of 75 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) from Yoli Alvin – President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope on Sunday, July 4, 2021. The Alyssa SAKs are available at no cost to young patients undergoing treatment and therapy for a life-threatening illness. The Ability Lab, formerly known as the Rehabilitation Center, is where Alyssa was treated before the new facility opened.

We delivered an assortment of 7 different Alyssa SAKs including ocean themed coloring book kits, colored pencil kits, journal kits, drawing kits, marker kits, watercolor paint kits and acrylic paint kits. We make every effort to provide various types of creative expression options that might appeal to teens and young adults patients with different interests, talents, and abilities.

It was over a year ago that we last made a delivery to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. Natalie seemed to immediately grasp what Alyssa’s Foundation is all about. She expressed how the healing process is a team effort involving medical staff, family members and therapists to mention only a few.

We are very happy to provide these opportunities to the young adult patients we serve in Alyssa’s memory.

Deklyn Receives His Acoustic Guitar

Deklyn was diagnosed with ALL B-cell SR HR 18 months ago in November 2020 when he was 9 years old. He lives in Aurora, Illinois with his family. We heard about Deklyn from Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, Illinois where he is being treated for his medical condition.

Yoli drove to Deklyn’s home in Aurora to present him with the new Lucida classical acoustic guitar and guitar a bag on Sunday, June 27, 2021. The acoustic guitar was purchased at Instrument Exchange who is a Sponsor of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH).

Deklyn learned about AAFH when he was admitted at CDH. He loves to listen to music and doing crafts. He likes to be creative and try new things. Deklyn is ready to begin learning how to play the guitar when he is at either CDH getting his treatments or at his home.

Deklyn’s mom, Jennifer said, " Deklyn is very happy and excited with his new guitar”. Jennifer is grateful to the AAFH for the generous guitar donation.

Dra. Martha Delivers Gifts to Kimberly and Marlen

Dra. Martha, Board Member of The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH), presented Kimberly, a 16-year-old, and Marlen, an 18-year-old, with gifts they had requested from the AAFH. Both young patients received headphones to listen to their favorite music in June 2021.

Kimberly and Marlen are being treated at Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico for leukemia. We are thankful to Dra. Martha for bringing hope and joy to Kimberly and Marlen as they go through their chemo treatments.

Kimberly - Headphones Marlen - Headphones

Dra. Alma Delivers Gifts to Nine Young Patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara

Dra. Alma presented gifts of art and music on behalf of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) to 9 young patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca” in 2nd Quarter of 2021.

Each of the young patients (ages 12-17) are being treated for a life-threatening illness and are grateful to be a recipient of either music/art gifts from AAFH.

Alyssa’s experiences helped shape the mission of Alyssa’s Foundation and we carry on the message of hope with other young patients going through their medical journey.

We thank Dra. Alma for her continued efforts and collaboration with AAFH to connect with young cancer patients through our gift program of music and art.

Left to Right

Esmeralda - Art Kit Jose Manuel - Keyboard Luis - Guitar Nancy - Keyboard

Left to Right

Salvador - Headphones Samantha - Keyboard Sofia - Art Kit Vanessa - Guitar

Violeta - Art Kit

La Fiesta de Musica 2021

The annual La Fiesta de Musica fundraising event to benefit the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) was held at the Green St. Grille in Bensenville, IL on Sunday, June 13, 2021.  Our guests enjoyed some delicious food and refreshing beverages provided by our sponsor/owner, Michael Munro.

A dozen vaccinated attendees came to support our cause and to watch live the 3 prize raffle drawings. It was a huge success with all tickets sold prior to the fundraiser. Several AAFH board members and officers attended the event: Dr. Martha Juarez (Board Member), Carmen Ziegler (Board Member), Daniel Guerrero (Board Member), George Alvin (AAFH VP) and Yoli Alvin (AAFH President).

There were 3 main raffle prize winners. The grand prize, an Apple iPad Air, was won by Lenny Trevino from Boca Raton, Florida. The second-place cash prize of $300 was won by Saul Acevedo from Chicago, Illinois. The third place cash prize of $200 was won by Roxie Polyakov from Lincolnshire, Illinois. 

Our attendees also participated in several smaller raffle items which included $25 gift certificates from the Green St. Grille.  Our thanks to Michael Munro who generously donated the gift certificates for the Green St. Grille.

 All our efforts are in fulfilling the AAFH mission to bring hope and joy for young patients facing life-threatening illnesses. AAFH offers the young patients art materials and musical equipment to express their creative side.  These are the activities that our Alyssa enjoyed so much while on her cancer journey, and we are grateful to carry on her spirit through the Foundation's mission.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to RMH near Lurie Children’s Hospital

A delivery of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) was made to the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago on Friday, June 11, 2021.

April Hudson, the RMH Manager received drawing, acrylic, watercolor, journal and coloring book kits from Alyssa’s parents George and Yoli (AAFH officers) and Dr. Martha Juarez (AAFH Board member) along with her two children, Nayeli and Hugo.

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.

The art materials allow the young patients to be creative and express themselves in a fun way while being treated for their illnesses. We are always happy to provide these fun starter art kits in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa, who exhibited a great passion for art, music and life. Alyssa is fondly remembered through a memorial brick on the roof of the RMH.