Alicia Rose DiNatale was in and out of the hospital going through numerous treatments for a rare case of cancer at 17 years old. After 13 months, she lost her battle. Her memory still lives on in the community after her parents, Deputy Mayor Mario DiNatale and his wife Giselle, decided to give back in Alicia’s honor.
In remembrance of Alicia Rose, the 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash is the biggest event out of the year for the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation (ARVF) on Friday, Oct. 5.
“Ten years ago, we had our first Birthday Bash commemorating Alicia’s spirit. She was born on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 10. [October] is very fitting for us to have this event,” Giselle said.
One of the ARVF’s main goals is to help fund and create teen lounges in hospitals around the nation.
“We found out the older children, certainly for high school-aged kids, it was a little of a displaced environment due to the nature of a children’s hospital. There wasn’t a place for [Alicia] to go,” DiNatale said.
Teen lounges are places for teens who spend most of their time in the hospital to get out of their beds and have a place to hangout. The lounges are a place for the older kids to try to fit into the children’s hospital environment.
The foundation has funded 58 teen lounges across the country, and, hopefully, after this year’s birthday bash, two more teen lounges will be added to the list.
The Birthday Bash is a red carpet-themed social event with basket auctions, silent auctions, a surf and turf menu, live music and a champagne reception.
DiNatale called it one giant party with a good cause behind it.
DiNatale hopes that the event will mimic the celebrity red carpet with photographers and a visitor’s spotlight.
Last year, approximately $100,000 was raised for the ARVF. Some 350 people are currently attending the party, and 50 volunteers will be there to help get the party going.
“We gift close to $100,000 every year,” said DiNatale.
The foundation receives requests for not only creating teen lounges, but also refurnishing enhancements and funding teen events.
Donations don’t stop at teen lounge funding. The foundation also donated Teen Kits to newly admitted and diagnosed teenage patients who have a life-threatening illness. These Teen Kits were created as a surplus of comfort items.
Volunteers also spend time creating bandana pillows to send along with the Teen Kits.
With backing from local supporters, friends and family members, the Birthday Bash will be one giant party where the main purpose is to continue Alicia’s legacy by making teens in other hospitals more comfortable during the time spent in treatment from a life threatening disease.
For more information about the ARV Foundation, visit www.arvf.org or call (856) 784–0615.
The Birthday Bash will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin. Party attire and RSVP is required to attend the event. The tickets cost $130 per
