Meet Champion, Alba

At the age of 12, Alba woke up with severe leg pain. By the end of the day, doctors at Golisano Children’s Hospital had diagnosed her with leukemia. Over the next three years, she underwent intensive treatment, drawing on her creativity to cope. Art became her refuge, a way to process her journey and share hope with others still in the fight. Her paintings and drawings have inspired patients and families, reminding them that hope and strength can emerge even in the hardest times. At 16, Alba rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment. Alba has become a passionate advocate for Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Naples Oncology Clinic, where she continues to receive care, and her mother speaks openly about the importance of access to local, high-quality care.