Order your Cindy Alvarado Funds for Sons bravelet to show your support.

Bravery

Superman. G. I. Joe.  We play with these toys imagining bravery.  As we move toward young adulthood, we begin to recognize men and women who serve others, like firefighters, police officers, and soldiers.

While all of these professions show bravery to the utmost degree, bravery goes beyond those who sacrifice their own safety. The Alvarado family has shown more bravery than anyone ever expected.

The Alvarados’ view of the world was shattered when Ron Alvarado, father of 2015 graduate Casey Alvarado and class of 2012 graduate Taylor Alvarado, passed away in 2011 due to liver cancer.

It’s enough to knock anyone, especially two young teenagers, off their feet. The ability to muster enough strength to stand up again is a feat worth celebrating.

The celebration didn’t last very long.

Three short years after their father was abruptly taken by cancer, Cindy Alvarado, the boys’ mother and principal of FCPS school, Carroll Manor Elementary, was diagnosed with Stage Four Lung Cancer.

“I honestly sat down and said, ‘Not again,’” Casey Alvarado told The Frederick News Post, after hearing the news about his mother’s diagnosis.

Mrs. Alvarado very well could have let cancer win, softly and slowly. She could have let the exhaustion sink into her each day.

To quote Gabrielle Zevin, “Should have. Would have. Could have. Didn’t.”

Mrs. Alvarado continued to come to every football game to support Casey, sporting full Lancer gear. She showed cancer it would not take away her passion for education and bettering the lives of young students. She continued to report to Carroll Manor Elementary to fulfill her duties as principal.

Fiercely fighting cancer head on? That’s bravery.

On February 3, 2016, almost two years into her tough battle, Mrs. Alvarado passed away.

The boys were again knocked down. To help them back up, many different fundraisers are extending a hand to Mrs. Alvarado’s family.

“My mom was really into making jewelry and spreading love through it. She always said when she retired she wanted to open up a jewelry-making store,” said Casey.

A Bravelets page has been created to sell jewelry in honor of Cindy. Bravelets is a non-profit organization that has raised over $2 million for cancer research by selling jewelry. For every piece of jewelry sold, $10 is donated to a personal fundraiser against cancer. In this case, all donations will go toward the Cindy Alvarado’s Funds for Sons Donations. The jewelry, engraved with the words, “Be Brave,” gives the wearer a constant reminder of Cindy Alvarado, her quiet fight against cancer, and the bravery that all of the Alvarados have exhibited through the years.

“The bracelets are a small reminder of the love and passion she had for jewelry-making,” continued Casey.

Another way to remember and fund and honor the Alvarados is to donate to her Patty Pollatos Fund. This fund also goes directly toward helping the Alvarado family.

“What motivates me the most to be brave is that one of my mom’s last wishes was for my brother and I to go to school, graduate, and open up a restaurant in her remembrance, which is what both of us plan to do,” Casey said.

Be thankful. Be mindful. Be brave.