Alaina Day, a Whiteland resident, died in 2014 from a form of cancer called neuroblastoma. In Alaina’s honor, her family created the Alaina Day Memorial Foundation to raise money for scholarships and to support Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. The foundation is hosting a movie day fundraiser on Sept. 9.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Hers is a legacy of joy and love, enduring still yet dampened by sadness.
Alaina Day was taken from the world too soon. The Whiteland girl was diagnosed with a cancer known as neuroblastoma at just 10 months old. She died seven months later.
But in the short time she was alive, she touched countless people.
“She had this beautiful personality and spirit, and always wanted to make people smile,” said Megan Day, Alaina’s mother. “We knew we needed to keep that spirit alive.
Alaina continues to make a difference even now. Through the Alaina Day Memorial Foundation, Day and her husband, John, their children as well as other family and friends have strived to amplify the kindness and spirit of community the little girl inspired.
The organization has given out $35,000 in scholarships to Whiteland Community High School students pursuing careers in health care — a nod to the nurses, doctors and staff who cared so deeply for Alaina while she was a patient at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
In addition, the foundation has an account set up with Riley Hospital for Children to help patients and their families with the overwhelming costs associated with pediatric cancer. Supporters donate toys, books and more to the hospital, and have started helping children from around the country with financial help as they battle cancer.
“The whole thing is to give back. As much as John and Megan were helped, they want to give back to others,” said Mary Ward, a friend of the Day family who has been involved with the foundation since the beginning.
On Sept. 9, the foundation holds one of its biggest days — Movie Day with ADMF. Kids, parents and supporters are invited to come to Canary Creek Cinema in Franklin for a screening of “Kung Fu Panda,” with proceeds going to benefit the foundation’s work.
Alaina Day Memorial Foundation t-shirts, merchandise and more will be available at the door. An online silent auction, now open for bids, will also help raise money.
All of it goes back to the spirit that Alaina embodied.
“We’re trying to create a fun family environment that Alaina would be proud of,” Day said.
When Alaina was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2014, her family was blindsided. The disease is a cancer of the nervous system, forming in certain types of nerve cells. The disease often appears first in the nerve-like cells of the adrenal glands, which sit right on top of the kidneys, according to Riley Hospital for Children.
Neuroblastoma can also affect the nerves that surround the spine or nerves in the chest or abdomen. The cancer usually occurs in children, typically those younger than 5 years old.
To treat it, Alaina had to endure months worth of chemotherapy, surgeries, and long stays at Riley Hospital for Children.
But even through the worst, the little girl’s personality radiated through. She loved so much — music and dancing, especially to the song, “Happy” by Pharrell; playing with stickers, and meeting new people. Alaina learned to walk while pushing her IV pole around the halls of the hospital, waving and making everyone she came in contact with smile.
After her death on Dec. 29, 2014, her family wanted to find some tribute to her infectious spirit. They formed the Alaina Day Memorial Foundation to raise money for scholarships for Whiteland students going into health care.
“We decided we wanted to give back in ways we knew Alaina would want us to,” Day said. “Alaina developed an awesome job with her nurses and doctors and staff, and we’re hoping these students would do the same. And we wanted to give back to the Whiteland community because everybody stepped up in a big way to support us during Alaina’s battle.”
Part of the funds would also go to Riley Hospital, which was the Day family’s home during Alaina’s long treatments. Money generated goes into a specific fund with the hospital, going to families of Riley patients for whatever they need — housing, help with bills, travel expenses and more.
Each December, the foundation is able to donate everything from sticker books to LEGO sets to sneakers for patients, as well.
“It is one way to get through everything we’ve gone through. To help other people and help other children, you know that feeling. It’s a feeling no parent ever wants to experience, but we want to help,” Day said.
To raise money for those initiatives, the Alaina Day Memorial Foundation has held a 5K race, organized dine-to-donate events and put together bowling extravaganzas at Royal Pin Expo in Indianapolis.
Movie Day with ADMF has emerged as one of its most popular events, though.
“We like to be very family-oriented, considering we lost a precious member of our family,” Day said. “We were trying to think of an event that the whole family could come to that would be a lot of fun and still meet our goals.”
Tickets to the Movie Day are $15 per adult and $10 per child, and comes with a small drink and small popcorn. T-shirts are $15, and a family package, including two adult tickets and two or more children’s tickets, is $50. Bounces houses and other activities will be set up as well. The Franklin College women’s basketball team will be on hand to help and meet fans.
A silent auction, which went live on Friday, features date night packages from local restaurants and attractions, golf packages, homemade gifts and much more.
“We’ve had so many businesses and companies locally who have donated things for people to bid on,” Day said.
Alaina’s death still is a pain that will never go away, Day said. But through the foundation’s work, she’s still making a difference to those around her.
“It’s hard to put into words how much it means. You have very difficult days grieving the loss of your child. But knowing you’re helping someone else who is going through the same thing keeps you going every day,” Day said.
IF YOU GO
Movie Day with ADMF
What: A fundraiser of the Alaina Day Memorial Foundation featuring a screening of “Kung Fu Panda,” with prize giveaways, bounce houses, activities and more.
When: Noon Sept. 9
Where: Canary Creek Cinemas, 870 Mallory Parkway, Franklin
Tickets: $15 adult, $10 child (each ticket comes with a drink and popcorn) or $50 family package (two adults and two or more children). T-shirts available for $15. Tickets and shirts will be for sale at the door.
Silent auction: An online silent auction is now open through 5 p.m. Sept. 9. Go to www.32auctions.com/ADMF to see items and place bids.
Information, donations and more: alainadaymemorialfoundation.org
