Pieces of Hope

A North Allegheny student turns a childhood hospital experience into a heartfelt project to bring joy to young patients

Lilliana Nover-Baker (left) with Stephanie Colaberardino of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

For Lilliana Nover-Baker, a difficult childhood experience became the inspiration for something deeply meaningful—an act of kindness designed to bring comfort to children facing health challenges.

Now a 16-year-old junior in the North Allegheny School District, Lilliana still remembers the uncertainty and fear of being hospitalized with a ruptured appendix while in elementary school. Because of complications, doctors were unable to perform immediate surgery, so she underwent intensive antibiotic treatment while surrounded by other young patients battling serious illnesses like cancer.

“It made me realize how many other children were going through difficult situations,” says Lilliana. “I wanted to make a positive impact on them.”

During her stay, Lilliana formed a special bond with another patient named Beverly. Together, they spent hours working on puzzles—a simple activity that quickly became something much more.

“It was a huge distraction that helped me not think about the pain that I was experiencing,” she says. “Because of the fun we had putting the puzzles together, it created a friendship that was very supportive.”

That experience stayed with her. Years later, Lilliana found herself reflecting on those moments and searching for a way to give back—not only in gratitude for Beverly’s support, but also to provide other children with the same sense of comfort and escape.

“I wanted other children to have that same experience where they can just have a fun distraction from their pain, and feel comfortable and happy,” she says.

Her idea: custom photo puzzles designed specifically for young patients.

To bring her vision to life, Lilliana partnered with renowned Pittsburgh photographer Dave DiCello, who generously donated vibrant images of the city. The puzzles feature colorful, engaging views of Pittsburgh—including sweeping shots of the skyline and bridges—creating a sense of familiarity and connection for local children during their hospital stays.

“I wanted the puzzles to have a fun, colorful and custom feel,” Lilliana says. “I wanted kids to have that piece of home while they are struggling with their illnesses.”

She then launched a fundraising effort—raising nearly $3,000 to produce 200 puzzles to be donated to patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She coordinated closely with Stephanie Colaberardino, director of Child Life, Volunteer Services and the Family Resource Center, to ensure that the puzzles would reach patients in a meaningful and supportive way.

“I learned leadership and a lot of other great skills that will help me in the future,” she says. “I also learned the many steps that go into putting together a big project.”

More importantly, she created something that has the power to make a real difference.

“I hope that patients receiving these puzzles will have a fun, exciting distraction that will give them joy throughout their health journey,” she says.

Looking ahead, Lilliana isn’t stopping here. She hopes to expand the project to reach more hospitals throughout the Pittsburgh region—and beyond—continuing to spread moments of joy to children who need them most.