KEEPING THE FAITH

The program "Keeping the Faith in Honor of A.D. was developed in hon or of a young African male, Alvin Delaine, who was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer at a very young age and was treated until his death by UF Health Shands and UF Health Jacksonville family of hospitals and services. The Keeping the Faith Program primary purpose is to sponsor funding raising events and efforts to donate to the UF Shands Children's Hospital, Child Life Program in honor of Alvin Delaine. It was Alvin's dying wish that a program be developed to assist the cancer stricken children at Shands in coping with their serious illness. UF Health Shands Children's Hospital is also a member of the Children's Hospital Association, formerly known as the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions. The Children's Hospital Association advances child health through innovation in the quality, cost and delivery of care. Representing 223 children's hospitals, the Association is the voice of children's' hospitals nationally. It champions public policies that enable hospitals to better serve children and is the premier resource for pediatric data and analytics, driving improved clinical and operational performance of member hospitals.  UF Health Shands Children's Hospital has 167 beds, including fully-equipped pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. UF Health Shands Children's Hospital is part of the Children's Miracle Networks alliance of premier hospitals for children. The Tyrone Goodson Youth and Sports Programs, Inc. developed the Keeping the Faith in Honor of A.D. Program for the purpose of being a key players in soliciting funds for donations to Shands Child Life Programs to offset it costs of purchasing supplies.