Alyiah Award Winners 2026
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A legacy of light, carried forward.
Some lives shine so brightly that their light continues to guide others long after they’re gone.
For The B.A.B.Y. Foundation, that light is Alyiah’s.
“This award was created to honor my daughter Alyiah… our deepest wish was to make sure her beautiful memory and her spirit continue to live on,” Lyndsey Long shared as she took the stage. “This is B.A.B.Y.’s way of keeping her light shining bright within our community.”
The Legacy She Left Behind
At just eight years old, Alyiah was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes — a condition that demanded constant care, courage, and resilience. But what people remember most isn’t the diagnosis. It’s her spirit.
“Her smile was a radiant light that could warm any room,” Lyndsey shared. “Her laughter was so joyful and infectious that you couldn’t help but join in.”
That is the legacy this award carries forward.
A legacy of kindness, joy and showing up for others, even in the hardest moments.
What It Means to Receive This Award
“To receive this award, a volunteer must lead with their heart — remaining selfless, hardworking, and positive while always carrying a smile. This year, we couldn’t just give it to one without the other,” Lyndsey said. “It is a true honor to recognize two ladies who represent the very heart of The B.A.B.Y. Foundation.”
Annabelle: A Life Turned Into Purpose
“Like so many, this young leader first came to B.A.B.Y. as a patient facing the heavy weight of numerous surgeries,” Lyndsey shared. But that’s not where her story stayed.
“Instead of looking back, she chose to look forward — transforming her challenges into a mission of hope for others.”
At an age when most kids are simply being kids, Annabelle began giving back — eventually raising over $50,000 for Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Today, she balances being a senior at Roosevelt High School, taking classes at AIMS, leading school clubs, running her own business, and serving as a dedicated board member for The B.A.B.Y. Foundation and a Children's Hospital Ambassador.
But Lyndsey said it best:
“What truly defines her is her big heart. She doesn’t just help — she notices the needs others might miss and steps in with selfless grace. Helping others isn’t a choice she has to make… it’s simply the heartbeat of who she is.”
Now, Annabelle is pursuing a future in medicine — a full circle moment fueled by the care she once received.
“While it is bittersweet to say goodbye,” Lyndsey shared, “we stand in awe of the extraordinary young woman she has become.”
Christina: Strength That Holds Everything Together
Standing beside Annabelle is her mother, Christina — and her impact is just as profound.
“Standing right beside her is a woman whose heart is as big as the impact she makes,” Lyndsey said.
“As a devoted wife and mother, every action she takes flows from a place of deep love.”
Christina is a business owner, a leader, a mother to a medical warrior, and the kind of person who shows up — every time.
“She is the steady hand who somehow always finds the time to hold everyone else up,” Lyndsey shared. “I can personally attest to this.”
Within The B.A.B.Y. Foundation, her role as Donation Director has been instrumental.
“She leads with quiet strength and a ‘we’ve got this’ attitude that turns even the most daunting tasks into an adventure. When challenges pile high, she’s the one who brings us back to center with our favorite phrase: ‘Let them.’”
A reminder to release the noise and focus on what truly matters.
“Christina, you are a radiant soul and a cherished friend who makes every room brighter just by being in it,” Lyndsey said. “You are the purest embodiment of what it means to give of oneself.”
A Legacy Lived Out
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of Alyiah’s Award than this devoted mother and daughter,” Lyndsey said as the room filled with applause.
And in that moment, it was clear:
This award isn’t just about recognition; it’s about continuation.
Alyiah’s light didn’t end.
It lives on in people like Annabelle and Christina — in the way they serve, the way they give, and the way they love others through hard seasons.
And Maybe… In You, Too
The truth is, this mission is built on people who say yes. Yes to showing up. Yes to helping families in crisis. Yes to being part of something bigger than themselves.
Annabelle and Christina once sat in a place of need.
Now, they are part of the reason others find relief.
That’s the power of this community.
And there is space for more people like them.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to make a difference…If you’ve ever wanted to turn compassion into action, there is a place for you here.
Learn more about volunteering or supporting families at: www.thebabyfoundation.org
Because when people say yes —legacies don’t just live on, they grow.
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