Alyssa Banks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Alyssa , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One moment that fills me with both joy and pride was meeting a Cataleya in London who we’d been visiting over zoom calls for more than two years. She lived thousands of miles away, but our connection was instant — every call was filled with laughter and magic.
When her family received the devastating news that there weren’t many options left, we knew we had to make this wish come true. We traveled to London, met her face to face, and took her and her mom to Disneyland Paris. Watching her meet Belle and Cinderella in person, twirl in her gown, and forget the hospital days — even just for a little while — made me so proud of what we do. It reminded me that this isn’t just about costumes or characters. It’s about giving kids joy and memories that will stay with them forever.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Alyssa Banks, and I’m the founder of The Princess Program Foundation — a nonprofit that brings Disney-like characters to children battling cancer and other serious illnesses. We visit kids in hospitals, homes, and hospices, as well as virtually, to create moments of joy in the middle of unimaginably hard times.
What makes us unique is that we’re not just about dressing up — we’re about building relationships. Some children we meet once, others we’ve known for years. We share birthdays, holidays, and milestones together. We’ve traveled across states and even across oceans to keep those connections alive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that forever changed the way I see the world was walking into Disneyland Paris with that little girl from London. We had been on Zoom for over two years, but this was the first time we were together in person. She’d been through so much — hospital stays, treatments, hard news — yet the second we stepped through those gates, her whole face lit up.
It wasn’t just excitement; it was pure, unfiltered joy. In that moment, nothing else existed for her — not the illness, not the pain, just magic. Seeing that reminded me that joy is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. It made me realize that creating moments like that isn’t just special, it’s essential. And it’s why I will always fight to bring magic to kids who need it most.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power the moment I listened to her story in person — sitting there with her, hearing her mom’s fears, and seeing the closeness they shared knowing the hardships ahead. It broke me in a way I can’t fully explain. The bond we created over those days in London and Paris was so strong, and saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, because I truly don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again.
But instead of letting that pain upset me, I’ve learned to let it fuel me. I carry her story — and so many others — into every hospital visit, every event, every conversation about childhood cancer. It’s the reminder that time is precious, that connection is everything, and that the work we do is worth every ounce of our hearts. Having a big heart is nothing to be ashamed of.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire her mom, Klaudia more than words can say. Not for any title or power, but for the way she shows up for her daughter every single day — with love, with grace, and with a strength that I’m not sure she even realizes she has. I’ve seen the fear in her eyes, the weight she carries, and still she manages to create joy in the middle of heartbreak.
It’s easy to admire someone for their accomplishments, but it’s rare to witness someone whose character shines through in every quiet act of care, in every sacrifice, in every moment she chooses hope. She is the definition of courage to me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve learned that time is the most valuable thing we have — and it’s never guaranteed. When you work with children who are fighting for their lives, you realize quickly that the small moments matter just as much as the big ones. A smile, a laugh, a shared story — those aren’t just nice memories, they’re lifelines.
Most people think they’ll have more time to say the things they want to say or do the things that matter. I know now that you can’t wait. You have to make the memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theprincessprogram.org
- Instagram: princessprogram.official
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