We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alyssa Banks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alyssa below.
Alyssa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
“I’m never going to get to go to Disney” are the saddest words you’ll ever hear coming out of a child’s mouth. A child who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Most kids are concerned with what they’re going to wear to school tomorrow or who’s friends house they are going over this weekend. But this child didn’t know of a life outside of her hospital room and knew her time was limited. This child with tears in her eyes was heartbroken by the fact that she’d never get to meet her favorite character. All I could think was there has to be a way I can change this. Thus my purpose in life was realized. I’d get a group of volunteers together and go visit kids in children’s hospitals as their favorite characters. We would bring the Disney-like magic to them, the kids that may never get to go to Disney because of their diagnosis.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I found my purpose in life working with kids who are battling cancer and other serious illnesses. Through my career in Nursing and my nonprofit featuring volunteers who dress up in ball gowns to put smiles on kids faces. But the Princess Program is so much more than just dressing up. We have a TikTok platform in which kids can go on livestream with their favorite princess. People can also watch and see what we do, while also becoming informed about what these kids go through. This platform has allowed us to reach families all over the world. We have done so much more than I ever dreamed of. We have fundraised to fly out to kids to make their dreams come true. Whether that is swimming with the mermaid princess or getting to meet and play with the Frozen queen in person. We have granted wishes of going to Disney, spending an entire weekend with a character, flying families all over the world to join events with us in person. Never did I ever think our reach would be what it is. I am so grateful for every single donor and supporter that makes it possible for us to do what we do.
Our mission has also allowed us to visit Children’s Hospitals all over the country. Including California, Utah, Wisconsin, Florida, Rhode Island, and our homeland: Massachusetts.
Recently, 4 year old Luna made a wish to see “Rapunzel and Elsa in person and tell them how much she loved them”. We heard her wish and granted it, bringing the princesses to visit her in her hospital room. They had a great time singing, doing crafts, and she certainly got to show the princesses her love for them. We also brought sweet Luna Disney tickets so she would get another chance to experience the magic after we left. Unfortunately Luna passed away from cancer just a few short months later, we were heartbroken. So her family asked us to be part of her Celebration of Life, which was a really special time to share memories and honor her. Part of our nonprofit is realizing that these families go through unfathomable amounts of grief. If we can bring just a little light in during those times, then we are doing exactly what our mission is: to bring magic to those who need it most. We even had a special night for her siblings she left behind, which included watching fireworks, swimming with mermaids, and having a slumber party with characters. This was our latest wish we granted and I’m very proud to say it will not be the last.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think having an open-mind, genuinely caring, and compassionate are the most impactful qualities to have. It’s important to have an open-mind when operating something long term because ways and method consistently change over time. It’s also important when working in a large group of people to have an open-mind and welcome ideas. It’s vital to genuinely care about what you do because there are times when you will feel like throwing in the towel, and you need passion behind your dreams to keep from doing that. There are days when we have no zoom calls, no new things to post on social media, nothing is happening, days that are quiet. Where it feels stagnant and like I’m not accomplishing anything. Those days are the hardest. But tomorrow is a new day, you can accomplish more tomorrow. If you genuinely care about what you do even on the days when you feel like throwing in the towel, you will get through them. Compassion is another important quality to have, no matter what you do. For us, it’s compassion for these kids and families. What they are going through is the toughest battle they will probably ever face. We are there to alleviate that pain and concern for just a little while. Having compassion is so important because you never know what someone is going through. The advice I have is to stay true to yourself and your goals, but also acknowledge that it takes a village. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the help of supporters, volunteers, and my executive board.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are looking for individuals who own small businesses and feel impacted by our mission and want to help out. Whether that’s creating princess hair bows for kids who have lost their hair to chemotherapy, or helping with costuming pieces etc. Anyone who feels impacted by our mission and wants to use their services to help in some way, we welcome with open arms. Remember “it takes a village”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.princessprogram.foundation
- Instagram: princessprogram.official
- Facebook: The Princess Program Foundation
- Tiktok: princessprogramofficial
