Alba's Mission
Alba was founded to make a positive impact on individuals’ lives. Our aim is to:
- Raise awareness and change the dialogue on serious women’s health issues by dispelling myths and educating the public on endometriosis, infertility and female cancers.
- Highlight the daily challenges and victories of real women in our community who have maintained their passion and resilience despite these real struggles, and who are a beacon of light, hope and survival for others.
- Emphasize the importance of self-care and demonstrate by example that one can still thrive in life and in their career while prioritizing balance, self-care and health.
- Inspire the community directly through the portraits, stories and wisdom of these women, to empower women who are affected to become their own advocate when it comes to the well-being of their body and their mind, and to bring new optimism.
- Raise funds for research on endometriosis, infertility and female cancers by showcasing local businesses and products specifically designed and sold for this campaign.
Founder's Note
Kristina Kasparian
PhD (McGill 2015, Neurolinguistics), Writer, Photographer
Veni Etiam Photography
For eighteen years, I have been a sufferer of severe endometriosis.
For sixteen out of those eighteen years, I was told – more times than I can count – that it was all normal. That the chronic, invisible and often debilitating pain was not associated with any pathology. That there was no diagnosis to make. That the other mysterious symptoms that I noticed and sought help for over the years were no cause for concern. For eighteen years, I have trusted my instincts to listen to my body’s signals, to educate myself independently about endometriosis, infertility, miscarriage, ovarian cancer and breast cancer, to change doctors when I felt dismissed, to advocate for my rights as a patient, as a woman, as a person. I have fought to change widespread beliefs and judgments, one opportunity at a time. I have fought to change my own beliefs about self-care, well-being, fertility and child-bearing, and their relationship to perceptions of achievement, fulfillment and success – perceptions that we internalize and that cause pressure on us in ways that we rarely describe to others. That fight is a daily one. It is ongoing, and it is a fight that I (now) know I share with so many like-minded warriors around the world.
We all come to experience in life how strength follows from weakness, how light follows from darkness. There cannot be light without shadows, or dawns without sunsets. I know I am not alone in feeling that this suffering has had a greater purpose, and that, through it, I can make a difference for others in a meaningful way. I also know I am not alone in feeling that the dialogue on women’s health, chronic pain and infertility must shift towards more pro-active, holistic, systematic approaches, and away from dismissive, arbitrary, judgmental ways.
My goal with Alba is to promote awareness, dialogue, resilience, healing and survival, not through my voice but through the collective voice of all the women who have become a light cutting fiercely through shadows – women who have survived and even thrived, and who are ready to inspire and empower others.
I hope that this initiative catches on, spreads far and wide, and becomes a powerful instrument not only for women, but also men who have been affected through their mothers, sisters, partners and other loved-ones.
I hope this brings us one step closer to a new dawn – for affected individuals who deserve a fresh start to live their life to its fullest potential, and for the community at large.
May awareness, compassion, strength and hope always triumph over darkness.
PhD (McGill 2015, Neurolinguistics), Writer, Photographer
Veni Etiam Photography
For eighteen years, I have been a sufferer of severe endometriosis.
For sixteen out of those eighteen years, I was told – more times than I can count – that it was all normal. That the chronic, invisible and often debilitating pain was not associated with any pathology. That there was no diagnosis to make. That the other mysterious symptoms that I noticed and sought help for over the years were no cause for concern. For eighteen years, I have trusted my instincts to listen to my body’s signals, to educate myself independently about endometriosis, infertility, miscarriage, ovarian cancer and breast cancer, to change doctors when I felt dismissed, to advocate for my rights as a patient, as a woman, as a person. I have fought to change widespread beliefs and judgments, one opportunity at a time. I have fought to change my own beliefs about self-care, well-being, fertility and child-bearing, and their relationship to perceptions of achievement, fulfillment and success – perceptions that we internalize and that cause pressure on us in ways that we rarely describe to others. That fight is a daily one. It is ongoing, and it is a fight that I (now) know I share with so many like-minded warriors around the world.
We all come to experience in life how strength follows from weakness, how light follows from darkness. There cannot be light without shadows, or dawns without sunsets. I know I am not alone in feeling that this suffering has had a greater purpose, and that, through it, I can make a difference for others in a meaningful way. I also know I am not alone in feeling that the dialogue on women’s health, chronic pain and infertility must shift towards more pro-active, holistic, systematic approaches, and away from dismissive, arbitrary, judgmental ways.
My goal with Alba is to promote awareness, dialogue, resilience, healing and survival, not through my voice but through the collective voice of all the women who have become a light cutting fiercely through shadows – women who have survived and even thrived, and who are ready to inspire and empower others.
I hope that this initiative catches on, spreads far and wide, and becomes a powerful instrument not only for women, but also men who have been affected through their mothers, sisters, partners and other loved-ones.
I hope this brings us one step closer to a new dawn – for affected individuals who deserve a fresh start to live their life to its fullest potential, and for the community at large.
May awareness, compassion, strength and hope always triumph over darkness.
"What if we had a platform where we could come together to share our different stories, feelings and triumphs in a way to educate, inspire, empower and heal ourselves and others? What if I, as a writer and photographer, documented several women's journeys, through words and photographs, and tied their portraits to a creative project that would enable us to raise funds for research in an uplifting way?"
Why the name Alba?
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“Alba” is a word of Latin origin and means “dawn” in several languages.
The imagery of white light is an important aspect of this initiative. Light follows from darkness and chases it away, just as we as individuals become stronger in the face of challenges.
The women who have chosen to step forward for this initiative are beacons of light who have come to terms with the circumstances they have survived - or are surviving. Their stories, insights, strengths and vulnerabilities shed light on these complex issues, to inspire and empower individuals on the same path.
This light comes from different directions – different journeys, perspectives and recommendations complement each other to contribute to a wide spectrum of resources.
Just like a spectrum of light, the emotions that are triggered by these harsh realities range from darkness to light. With reflection, open dialogue and support, we can pull one another up along this spectrum, leaving darkness behind us.
The imagery of dawn is an important symbol for this mission, which has at its heart the need for a brighter future with more pro-active, holistic, systematic approaches, as well as the need for a shift in mindset on women’s health, chronic pain, fertility and on the balance between self-care and success.
The imagery of white light is an important aspect of this initiative. Light follows from darkness and chases it away, just as we as individuals become stronger in the face of challenges.
The women who have chosen to step forward for this initiative are beacons of light who have come to terms with the circumstances they have survived - or are surviving. Their stories, insights, strengths and vulnerabilities shed light on these complex issues, to inspire and empower individuals on the same path.
This light comes from different directions – different journeys, perspectives and recommendations complement each other to contribute to a wide spectrum of resources.
Just like a spectrum of light, the emotions that are triggered by these harsh realities range from darkness to light. With reflection, open dialogue and support, we can pull one another up along this spectrum, leaving darkness behind us.
The imagery of dawn is an important symbol for this mission, which has at its heart the need for a brighter future with more pro-active, holistic, systematic approaches, as well as the need for a shift in mindset on women’s health, chronic pain, fertility and on the balance between self-care and success.
Why highlight entrepreneurship?
The idea for Alba was born out of circumstance. As an entrepreneur, I gradually became aware of just how many members of my immediate community were battling or had previously battled similar health issues, be it endometriosis, reproductive challenges, chronic illnesses or cancer. These stories would come through in bits and pieces through conversation or through social media posts – sometimes in the form of subtle allusions, other times with courageous honesty.
I began to think about the challenges of being a small-business owner – the need for constant creativity, innovation, production and communication, the self-discipline and independent hustle, the need to constantly put ourselves out there and wear all those different hats required to make a small business thrive and grow. To do all that, often on top of another job, while coping with a new or chronic illness is a true challenge. In entrepreneurship, there is a lot of room for risk, doubt, fear, hesitation and uncertainty of the future. These feelings can be amplified in conditions like endometriosis, infertility, chronic pain and cancer. Plowing through requires determination and a resilient spirit that trusts that the tide will soon change.
Entrepreneurs, particularly “solopreneurs”, often work beyond a forty-hour work week, especially at earlier stages of their business, making it difficult to carve out time for themselves and to develop self-care strategies that foster coping mechanisms. I am in awe and administration of individuals who have built a life for themselves where they lead a successful business and impact others through their work despite a condition that poses challenges to physical and mental health. I find these individuals inspiring and empowering.
Celebrating women entrepreneurs therefore became one of my missions, with the idea that they could create a physical product to sell to raise funds for a related charitable cause of their choice. However, as a scientist, I would love to soon extend Alba’s mission to showcase women in science or academia. I hope you will follow and encourage our journey until Alba expands beyond its initial circle.
I began to think about the challenges of being a small-business owner – the need for constant creativity, innovation, production and communication, the self-discipline and independent hustle, the need to constantly put ourselves out there and wear all those different hats required to make a small business thrive and grow. To do all that, often on top of another job, while coping with a new or chronic illness is a true challenge. In entrepreneurship, there is a lot of room for risk, doubt, fear, hesitation and uncertainty of the future. These feelings can be amplified in conditions like endometriosis, infertility, chronic pain and cancer. Plowing through requires determination and a resilient spirit that trusts that the tide will soon change.
Entrepreneurs, particularly “solopreneurs”, often work beyond a forty-hour work week, especially at earlier stages of their business, making it difficult to carve out time for themselves and to develop self-care strategies that foster coping mechanisms. I am in awe and administration of individuals who have built a life for themselves where they lead a successful business and impact others through their work despite a condition that poses challenges to physical and mental health. I find these individuals inspiring and empowering.
Celebrating women entrepreneurs therefore became one of my missions, with the idea that they could create a physical product to sell to raise funds for a related charitable cause of their choice. However, as a scientist, I would love to soon extend Alba’s mission to showcase women in science or academia. I hope you will follow and encourage our journey until Alba expands beyond its initial circle.
Does Alba's mission resonate with you?
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