Grayslake North Cheerleader Dies of Cancer; Funds Raised for Local Family

Funds continue to pour in for the family of a 14-year-old cheerleader at Grayslake North who lost a short battle with cancer the day after Christmas.

Alyssa Wood, of Lake Villa, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Nov. 29 and started chemotherapy the next day. A GoFundMe page was started the day of Wood's diagnosis to help the Wood family cover Alyssa’s medical expenses. In one month, 129 donors donated $9,445 to the local family.

Wood, a freshman at Grayslake North, was on the freshman cheer team and planned to join the soccer team in the spring, the Daily Herald reports. Cheer Coach Stephanie Kapchinski told the newspaper Wood was "a team player that came to practice excited to work and improve her skills as a cheerleader."

Wood also played soccer in the Lindenhurst Park District program for many years. She joined PInk Panther Soccer Club last summer after “demonstrating her unwavering determination and ‘never quit’ attitude in support of her soccer teams,” according to her obituary.

Wood is remembered for her bright smile and the kindness she showed everyone, according to her obituary. She was also described as loud, energetic and possessed “unwavering positivity does not go unnoticed by those around her,” Jadyn Castro of Hainesville, who created the GoFundMe page for the Wood family, wrote.

A memorial visitation for Alyssa was held last Thursday.

Alyssa is survived by her parents Kevin and Elizabeth; her siblings Lauren Wood, Adrienne (Joshua) Sokoll, Justin Furtado, Stephen Farrell Jr and Ronald Waldron Jr. She had three neices and nephews.

Donate to Alyssa's Memorial Fund here.