Alba - A New Dawn for Women's Health
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A NEW Dawn For Women's Health
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Kristina Kasparian

Founder of Alba
​Owner of Veni Etiam Photography

Find me at: veni-etiam-photography.com
I have suffered from severe deeply-infiltrating endometriosis, adenomyosis, ovarian failure, fertility issues and repeated miscarriages.
I created Alba to join in on the existing conversation about early detection and effective treatment for endometriosis, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and infertility, to raise funds for research and for support groups, and to help catalyze a deeper understanding of endometriosis from the outside in with my book, "It's Time."

My health journey was long, infuriating and damaging. It took 16 years to be diagnosed, nearly all my pelvic, abdominal and thoracic organs were involved and the pain endured was not only in physical form. 
"Endometriosis is a complex and far-reaching illness that requires multi-disciplinary help to manage." 
What helped me find peace was carving my own path in my work, introducing more time for myself in my schedule, swimming, journaling, practicing positive affirmations and gratitude on a daily basis.
I'd like to tell others in my shoes to trust yourself and your body, and never to let anyone second guess your instincts. Be your own advocate, push for the help that what you think your body and mind need. Once diagnosed, take care of yourself - be gentle and accepting when faced with limitations you wish you didn't have. Eat well, practice mindfulness, say no and find peace in what you love doing.

Something I love and recommend is a book called Endometriosis - A Key to Healing through Nutrition which made me feel more in control of my body, and the book 52 Lists for Happiness which was a beautiful part of my morning ritual when I was working through a depression. 
In my photography work, I capture the stories, feelings, moods, colors, textures and ordinary beauty of places.  I transform my photographs into wall art and home decor accessories to help you find an inspiring decor piece that reflects who you are, where you have been and where you dream of going.

The piece I am showcasing in the Alba Collection is a book I wrote called "It's Time. Words and feelings from my (long) journey with endometriosis". It is an important read for anyone looking to understand and be understood. 
I have chosen to donate all proceeds from my book to sustain Alba as a community and resource shining light on endometriosis, infertility, female cancer and chronic pain one courageous individual at a time.
Follow my personal and creative journey on Instagram and Facebook​.
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Ishita Banerjee

Member of Alba since March 2018
​Owner of Soul Curry Art

Find me at: soulcurryart.com
I have suffered from endometriosis, fertility troubles and thyroid cancer.  
I joined Alba to help others with my story.
My health journey was frustrating and emotional. The stigma and the ignorance of gynecological pain and its symptoms are what I find very hard to accept.  
What helped me find peace was accepting that it was not my fault.
If I could tell others in my shoes one thing, it would be to take it one day at a time. No one knows your body like you do, so when you sense something wrong, speak up and speak often. 
"Do not let your pain be easily dismissed." ​
Something I love and recommend is to volunteer. I love to volunteer because it makes my problems seem so small. It can heal your pain and soul by helping others in any way possible. 
In my work, I explore moods, feelings and human beings through abstract art and illustrations.
 
The piece I am showcasing in the Alba Collection is called "Vivid: Liberated." It is an expression of power, liberation, movement and feminine empowerment.
It represents what it is like to be saturated in color, liberated in movement, powered in thought and uplifted in spirit.
The vivid colors as well as the free and fluid stance of the woman evoke feelings of strength, liberation, freedom and spirit. It's for those who believe in seizing their dreams and dancing to their own tunes. It is the woman who does not follow the rules, but makes her own. 
The feminine form stands for balance, harmony, love, nurture, but is also fierce, strong, tenacious and the giver of life. 

I have chosen to donate proceeds to Twist Out Cancer, a community that creatively supports survivors as they fight, cope and heal. 
Follow my personal and creative journey on Instagram and Facebook.
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Magali Robidaire

Member of Alba since March 2018
​Owner of Le Bocal de Mag

Find me at: facebook.com/lebocaldemag
I have suffered from endometriosis and fertility troubles.
Someone close to me has suffered from endometriosis
I joined Alba because I feel close to all the women who are suffering from the distress caused by this little recognized disease called endometriosis, and I also identify with all those who are experiencing hard physical and emotional times because of fertility disorders.

My health journey has been rough. Four years ago, my partner and I realized that we wanted to start a family. We imagined to have a child quickly enough. 
"Unfortunately, our reality was soon marked by a first very painful ectopic pregnancy."
During this time, I lost a fallopian tube, but which revealed that I had endometriosis. From that moment, I decided to take care of my body and my mind, trying to pay attention to my inner balance. Three other miscarriages followed each other, each one more trying than the last. The most recent one having plunged me rather hard into a depressive state, we decided to put our family project on hold, and to give ourselves time to get ourselves back on track as individuals and as a couple. We are now followed by a fertility clinic at the CHUM in Montreal (Canada), and thanks to the fabulous specialist who looks after us there, we are more and more hopeful, knowing that we will not have to rush things. 
What helped me find peace was the support of my partner, the support of my closest friends, the creativity that fuels me, yoga sessions and sessions with my psychologist
If I could tell others in my shoes one thing, it would be "I understand you." Quite simply. Because when we suffer from fertility issues, we often hear a lot of negative comments, strange reactions and hurtful remarks. Few people know how to listen to our pain without expressing judgment or expressing their discomfort. "I understand you" can mean to the other that we hear her, we feel compassion for her, we can offer some help.  
Something I recommend is to surround yourself with the right people, to distance yourself from those who can not support you, and to seek help, be it through therapists or support groups.
I am a self-employed illustrator and graphic designer. My small business is called Le Bocal de Mag, and thanks to this project, I sell posters and cards adorned with my illustrations and photo-montages.
My health problems allowed me to create more personal works of art, closer to my feelings. I stopped working on custom orders so I could really do more introspection work and translate my feelings on paper.
The piece I am showcasing in the Alba Collection is called “The river”. This poster is part of a series of photo-montages of Montreal cityscapes, combining photography and digital illustration. It touches me a lot since it highlights a young woman meditating alone in front of the river. We do not know what her thoughts are, but we can relate to her long gaze on the horizon. To create this visual, I worked on a photo I took on Île Sainte Hélène in Montreal, where the St. Lawrence river faces the city. I then added textures and patterns that I had previously drawn, to get the result shown here.

Follow my personal and creative journey on Instagram and Facebook. 
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Ginette Miron

Member of Alba since March 2018
​Owner of Ginette Miron Photography

Find me here: instagram.com/ginettemiron
I have suffered from endometrial cancer.
Someone close to me has suffered from breast cancer and fertility troubles.
I joined Alba because I feel that this forum will provide hope, love and encouragement to women in many ways and I instinctively knew I had to be a part of this venture.
I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (which was caught in its early stages) and I had a hysterectomy. Once pathology results were reviewed, it was suggested that I undergo radiation treatments, five times weekly for five weeks. It has been just under a year since my treatments.


"What helped me find peace was love."
If I could tell others in my shoes one thing, it would be to take it one day at a time. Trust your instincts and the power they can give you - that little voice in the background is typically pretty accurate! Reach out to friends and family for support, and seek out a group that may offer counselling. It's important to find someone you trust to share your thoughts.
Something I love and recommend is the book “The Four Agreements”. This book changed my life. I must have been in the right mental space to embrace this book's beliefs. "Don't take anything personally" was the agreement that spoke to me the most; it has helped me in my personal and professional relationships. Since reading this book, I feel that I have become a much more open, accepting and calmer person. 
I am a photographer. Photography is how I express myself. It is my passion and my voice. I have diplomas in fine-arts and photography, so art has always been a huge part of my life. My career has taken many interesting turns, and photography took a backseat while I was "adulting". My artistic voice was constantly nagging me and I decided I needed to reawaken my love of photography. Once I started to take my camera out again, I felt alive! I am constantly looking for lights, shapes, shadows and colors. I honestly lose track of time when I am out shooting. 
My health problems allowed me to have a new perspective on what really matters. I am now working towards awakening my artistic voice.
The piece I am showcasing in the Alba Collection is called “Love conquers all”. I chose this product because I truly believe that love, especially "self-love", is vital to healing - physically, mentally and emotionally.

Follow my personal and creative journey on Instagram.
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​Copyright 2018. Alba A New Dawn by Veni Etiam Photography. All Rights Reserved. Montreal, Canada
Photo used under Creative Commons from Paxson Woelber
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