By Rosemary Islava, current CHOC volunteer and mother of former CHOC patient Aliyah
When my daughter Aliyah was fighting cancer, my family spent a lot of time at CHOC Hospital.
Aliyah was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 2. Before we were transferred to CHOC from a hospital closer to our house, I vaguely knew there was a children’s hospital in Orange, but I had no clue about the miracles and magic that happens within the walls of CHOC.
Throughout Aliyah’s journey, she underwent multiple brain surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. Our family spent as much time by her side as possible. Aliyah’s siblings practically grew up at CHOC. At one point, Aliyah stayed in the hospital for seven months straight.
Aliyah beat cancer once, and then had to regain her ability to walk, talk, eat, sit, hold her head up—everything. As you can imagine, throughout this journey our family got to know practically everyone at CHOC—doctors, nurses, physical therapists, security guards, cafeteria staff, the sweet staff who cleaned Aliyah’s room, and more. They became like family to us.
Aliyah was always a very determined and caring little girl. Although she was soft-spoken, she was a firecracker. She taught me what true strength was, even though I think it should’ve been the other way around.
After a few years of remission, Aliyah’s cancer returned when she was 9, and she passed away shortly after her 10th birthday. The special way her doctors and nurses cared for her throughout her life didn’t end when she passed away—several of them even spoke at her memorial service.
Caring for others the way CHOC cared for my family
A year after Aliyah passed away, I joined CHOC’s mighty brigade of hospital volunteers. Everyone at CHOC had done whatever they could – for years – to make Aliyah feel like the princess she was. They also made our experience as a family easy and comfortable, and I wanted to pay it forward.
You might assume that volunteering at a hospital is sad. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be here. For me, the opposite is true. Yes, sometimes people get bad news here. But more common that, volunteers and staff get a front-row seat to the resilience CHOC patients display every day.
I was open to serving anywhere the hospital needed me, but I was placed on the pediatric oncology unit. During my weekly volunteer shift, I get to serve in all sorts of ways, from helping nurses re-stock supply carts with much-needed supplies, playing board games with patients who need a buddy, or making a cup of coffee for a tired parent. I love assisting families through the discharge process—loading up a red wagon with their belongings and helping them get to their car. I celebrate with them when they can take their child home.
My family was treated so well during our time at CHOC, and it’s a privilege to pay it forward to other families. Whenever I leave CHOC, my heart feels full.
Each week, I proudly put on the traditional blue smock worn by hospital volunteers, along with my CHOC volunteer ID badge. My badge holder includes a photo of Aliyah. Sometimes patients will see Aliyah’s photo and ask about her. Everyone’s journey is different, so I’m careful about what I tell them.
Honoring Aliyah’s memory
My family has found other ways to honor Aliyah’s memory as well. Her birthday was September 19, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Last year to celebrate her birthday – a few months after she passed away—we collected boxes of fun band-aids to support the hematology/oncology unit at CHOC’s band-aid drive. You might think a band-aid is a small gesture, but to a hospitalized child, a band-aid in their favorite color or bearing their favorite character, can be a bright spot.
This year for Aliyah’s birthday we held a lemonade stand to raise money for CHOC. We had a great turnout—family members, friends, neighbors, community members, even the fire department showed up! We donated the funds raised to support research efforts by Aliyah’s oncologist, Dr. Ashley Plant.
Making my daughter proud
Throughout Aliyah’s battle with cancer, I felt so grateful for the way her team at CHOC cared for her. That’s why I’m back, volunteering at CHOC—to have a chance to pay it forward to other families and the staff here.
I think the way I am serving other CHOC families would make Aliyah proud.
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Learn more about the Hyundai Cancer Center at CHOC
CHOC Hospital was named one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings and ranked in the cancer specialty.
