Meet Alyssa Banks | CEO & Founder

Shout Out LA | March 7, 2022

My thought process was to create a way for children in and out of the hospital to experience Disney-like magic without having to physically go to Disney.

Princess Program Nonprofit Brings Smiles To Sick Kids

BC10 Boston | Raul Martinez | April 1, 2022

During extremely tough times, a little kindness can go a long way. And nursing student Alyssa Banks is making that happen as the founder of the Princess Program

Frozen Changed Our Lives

Newsweek | December 2, 2023

"From that day on, Paisley's persona changed. She was no longer a sick kid; she was joyful and full of sass. She began walking around the hospital telling everyone that Elsa was her best friend. Before the call, she wasn't happy, as she was very sick. Molly's performance gave her a zest for life again."

The Princess Program Foundation: Bringing Magic to Children Battling Cancer

Perfecting the Magic | Rachel Alger | January 6, 2022

Our exclusive interview with the organization creating special memories for children and families

Princess Program Foundation Creates Fairytale Experiences for Children with Terminal Illness

WE INSPIRE | Antonia Raney | December, 16, 2021

Like most fairy tales, this one begins with a princess. Alyssa Banks was an 18-years-old nursing student volunteering at a camp for terminally ill children in 2017.

Mass. college graduate’s nonprofit helping sick children meet their favorite Disney characters

Channel 7 WHDH | Jadiann Thompson | July 16, 2021

Alyssa Banks launched the Princess Program Foundation — a nonprofit that sends volunteers to children’s hospitals, care centers, and therapy locations dressed up as popular Disney characters in an effort to bring joy to children who are battling illness.

More news

Conversations with Alyssa Banks

Voyage LA | June 30, 2021

Once upon a time, I was a first-year college student, age 18, with a big dream. I wanted to make a difference in the world by bringing magic to children in hospitals. I began by gathering up my friends to dress up as princesses and superheroes to visit terminally ill kids receiving treatment.

Umass Boston News

Umass Boston | October 28, 2022

Nursing student Alyssa Banks, 21, is the founder and CEO of the Princess Program Foundation, an organization that aims to bring a little magic to the lives of children battling serious illnesses by giving them one-on-one time with their favorite princesses or superheroes.

The Plush Times

Brittni Carraway | February 28, 2021

In the beginning of 2020, Alyssa founded the 501(C)3 non- profit organization, the Princess Program Foundation. Located in Bellingham, Massachusetts, the organization has volunteers bring magic to children in hospitals battling serious illness by dressing up as princesses and superheroes to add a smile to their day and spending one-on-one character time. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, hospital visits became nearly impossible. So, the program added a new feature to their organization by having their characters Zoom call kids battling an illness who are in and out of hospitals. Zoom calls can be tailored to the child's interest, e.g.,. singing, dancing, play dough, craft making, and story book readings.

Princess Program Foundation: Alyssa Banks

Brittany Baldi | 09/20/2020

A woman just 21 years of age, decided to put her love for princesses and helping others to good use! Alyssa Banks, a die hard Patriots fan, idolized princesses and Hannah Montana as a child... she also always had a passion for wanting to help others and give back. On this special -charity themed- BosBabes episode, host Brittany Baldi dives deep into why spreading Christmas magic, hope, and putting smiles on ill children's faces is a big reason Alyssa began the -Princess Program Foundation-, a non profit organization dedicated to offering at home and hospital visits to children in need of a smile.

College Town: Princess Program celebrates two-year anniversary

Scott O’Connell | 11/20/2019

The Campus Princess Program, which began in November 2017, was founded by student Alyssa Banks during her first year at Anna Maria. Today it has grown to include 60 students, and has accumulated more than 300 hours of volunteer work at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital and other places and events with pediatric patients.