Taveon Receives His Karaoke Machine/Alyssa SAKs Donated to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago

A karaoke machine was delivered to Taveon Woodward, an 11-year-old from Lake Villa, IL on Monday, January 24, 2022. Taveon enjoys singing , playing games, and doing art projects. He learned about AAFH while being treated at Comer Children’s Hospital, part of the University of Chicago Medicine Group in Hyde Park in Chicago’s south side.

While dropping off Taveon’s gift, AAFH also delivered 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) for other patients being treated at Comer. Paulina Lopez who works there as a Child Life Assistant accepted our donation. The kits included coloring book kits, journal kits, drawing kits, acrylic and watercolor paint kits, and color marker art kits.

Paulina knows first-hand how important these creative outlets are to the young patients who are dealing with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

We witnessed it ourselves when our daughter, Alyssa, was going through her own treatment for cancer. It is in Alyssa’s memory that we carry on her legacy of love for art and music.

Please donate today to bring joy to a young patient’s life. Just click HERE!

João Pedro is Surprised with Beats at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago/Alyssa SAKs Delivered to RMH-Winfield

Daniel, Alyssa’s cousin/AAFH Board Member, and his one-year-old son, Amilio, arrived at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago (Shriners) and surprised João Pedro (JP) at the time of JP’s discharge from Shriners on Saturday, January 29, 2022. This year, JP completed the gift recipient form on the AAFH website and is very happy to receive the Beats headphones with built-in microphone he requested.

JP lives in Itupeva, São Paolo, Brazil with his parents, Claudia & João Paulo and his little sister, Helena. JP loves to play with various musical instruments. JP has enjoyed Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) in the past while undergoing treatments at Johns Hopkins Children Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, Shriners and during his stays at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near Loyola. JP also participated in delivering Alyssa SAKs during his time in Chicago.

After JP received his Beats, Yoli-Alyssa’s mom & President of AAFH, drove JP and his dad, João, to the RMH near Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL where they will stay until JP’s next surgery scheduled in February 2022. JP assisted Yoli in delivering 20 SAKs to Mandie Lunn-RMH House Coordinator who was very happy with our donation. Mandie met Alyssa at Loyola University and is sorry to hear that Alyssa passed away of leukemia.

We hope JP will enjoy his Beats headphones while listening to his favorite music which brings him joy and peace as he recovers from his surgeries.

Please donate today to bring joy to a young patient’s life. Just click HERE!

JP Helps Deliver Alyssa SAKs to Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago

Mature beyond his 8 years of age, João Pedro, who goes by ‘JP’, and his dad, João Pablo traveled from Itupeva, São Paulo, Brazil for a scheduled surgery on January 26, 2022, at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago (Shriners).  That Wednesday morning, JP and João Pablo joined Yoli - Alyssa’s mom and President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) – in delivering 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Shriners.  Yoli first met JP and his mom, Claudia, at the RMH East in St. Petersburg, FL during an Art participation event hosted by AAFH three years ago.  This year, JP will be one of AAFH’s gift recipients and we are looking forward to presenting him with his special gift request.

Mary McCauley who works as the Donation Coordinator at Shriners received the Alyssa SAKs.  The kits included coloring book kits, journal kits, drawing kits, acrylic and watercolor paint kits, and color marker art kits. 

We have worked with Mary in the past and she has always been appreciative to receive the SAKs because she knows how much happiness they bring to the young recipients.  Just like our daughter, Alyssa, young patients facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases need creative outlets to provide hope for them while going through their difficult treatments.

Please donate today to bring joy to a young patient’s life. Just click HERE!

Bringing Art to Young Patients at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Alyssa’s parents, George & Yoli arrived at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL and met with Tasha & Chris, Child Life staff on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Tasha and Chris received 40 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on behalf of Kristen Maier – Director of Child Life.

A variety of art kits were donated such as journal kits, drawing kits, watercolor paint kits, pencil drawing kits and color marker kits. Both Tasha and Chris mentioned that they had run out of Alyssa’s SAKs since our last delivery and are looking forward to distributing them to the young patients being treated at the hospital. We hope our Alyssa SAKs will be enjoyed by the young patients and put smiles on their faces.

We are thankful for the opportunity to share Alyssa’s love of art and music with children and young adult patients as they go through their own medical journey.

Please donate today to bring joy to a young patient’s life. Just click HERE!

Young Patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Receive Their Gifts

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) represented by George Alvin, Yoli Alvin (AAFH founders & officers), Dra. Martha Juarez (Board member) and Dra. Alma delivered gifts to 28 recipient patients at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara in November and December 2021. The recipients of AAFH gifts in these two months were:

LEFT TO RIGHT

Adilenne, 13-year-old, art supplies

Alejandra, 21-year-old, headphones

Alvaro, 10-year-old, headphones

Axel, 10-year-old, headphones

Brian, 13-year-old, acoustic guitar

Carolina, 13-year-old, acoustic guitar

Cristalia, 20-year-old, headphones

Daniel, 21-year-old, bongos

Diana, 14-year-old, acoustic guitar

Edgar, 19-year-old, headphones

Eduardo, 11-year-old, ukulele

Eduardo, 14-year-old, acoustic guitar

Emelia, 13-year-old, art supplies

Goretti, 10-year-old, art supplies

Ian, 12-year-old, acoustic guitar

Jade, 11-year-old, keyboard

Jesús, 11-year-old, acoustic guitar

Joel, 11-year-old, art supplies

Julian, 19-year-old, ukulele

Leslie, 14-year-old, art supplies

Luis, 15-year-old, headphones

Luis, 11-year-old, art supplies

Maria, 18-year-old, art supplies

Ramon, 20-year-old, ukulele

Santiago, 10-year-old, violin

Ulises, 10-year-old, acoustic guitar

Valeria, 15-year-old, violin

Zaida, 20-year-old, headphones

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 patients during their extraordinarily challenging times.

We thank both Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for allowing AAFH to connect with these young patients through our gift program of music and art. We share the same desire in bringing hope and joy to young patients as they go through their treatments.

50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) Donated to Rush Copley Cancer Center

Rita Alviar, AAFH volunteer together with Yoli Alvin, Alyssa’s Mom & Founder of AAFH delivered 50 Alyssa SAKs to Rush Copley Cancer Care Center in Aurora, IL on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

It’s been over a year that we met with Laura Rollins, Oncology Social Worker. Laura received 50 kits which included 5 different types of Alyssa SAKs – acrylic paints, watercolors, nature coloring books, drawing and journal kits.

These art kits will be given to young patients being treated for various life-threatening illnesses. Laura informed us that there has been an increase in young adults being treated there for various cancers and she is excited to give the Alyssa Starter Art Kits. to the young patients.

Thank you for making a difference in a young patient’s life & please donate today. Just click HERE!

Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to RMH Loyola Medical Center

On Monday, November 29, 2021, Yoli -President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to the RMH near Loyola University Medical Center on the Hines Veteran’s Affairs campus in Hines, IL.

Yoli met the House Manager -Caitlin Nelson who received our donation of Alyssa SAKs. The SAKs will be given to children and young adults being treated at medical facilities such as the Loyola University Medical Center and the nearby Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Oak Park, IL.

Alyssa Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope makes and donates professional art materials comprised of watercolor & acrylic paint kits, ocean coloring books, drawing kits and journal kits to young patients going through cancer and other life-threatening illnesses across the Chicagoland area hospitals and RMH.

Thank you for making a difference in a young patient’s life & please donate today. Just click HERE!

Make a Difference and Give Today.....Alyssa Starter Art Kits Donated to Young Patients

Alyssa Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope makes and donates professional art materials comprised of watercolor & acrylic paint kits, ocean coloring books, drawing kits and journal kits. The Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) are available for children & young adult patients in hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses (RMH) between the ages of 10-21.

50 Alyssa SAKs were delivered to the RMH near Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Megan Conley- House Manager received a variety of Alyssa SAKs for the children & young teen patients staying at the RMH.

The art materials allow these young patients to be creative and express themselves in a fun way while being treated for their life-threatening illnesses. We are thankful that we can share Alyssa’s love for the arts with others.

You too can make a difference and give to our charity by making a donation today. Just click HERE!

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) Donated to RMH and Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) made deliveries to the Ronald McDonald House near Comer Children’s Hospital and the hospital itself at the University of Chicago Medical Complex in Hyde Park on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

A total of 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were donated for the young patients who are going through cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. RMH and Comer Children’s Hospital received 50 kits with a variety of journal kits, ocean coloring books, drawing kits, watercolor, and acrylic paint kits.

Hannah Giekzyh , a new Resident Coordinator at the RMH, received our donation and was impressed to learn that our Foundation also provides gifts for young patients between the ages of 10 and 21 who would like more professional art materials, a musical instrument, or a set of headphones of their choice at a maximum value of $250.

As we enter the Christmas season, it’s good to reflect on being grateful for what we have and to acknowledge all those who are struggling with their serious health challenges.

AAFH is happy to continue Alyssa’s legacy of love for the arts and music.

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!