Creative Energy Arts Factory honours teacher

Creative Energy Arts Factory is showing support for the A Clear View digital mammography campaign, and for teacher Alana.

  • Feb. 24, 2012 11:00 a.m.

Creative Energy Arts Factory is showing support for the A Clear View digital mammography campaign, and for teacher Alana.

Students performed the Nutcracker Ballet last year, challenging themselves creatively, while also encouraging donations to the campaign in honour of Alana who is a breast cancer survivor.

Diagnosed in February 2010, Alana Rybar, Principal Director of the Creative Energy Arts Factory, made the journey outside the East Kootenay area to gain access to a digital mammography unit and to undergo a stereotactic biopsy.  At 36 years of age, having the newest technology available to her was an integral part of the original diagnosis and also now for the ongoing follow up visits when her Vancouver oncologist uses a stereotactic probe.

“Knowing that a digital stereotactic mammography unit may become a reality in the East Kootenay is just so meaningful for me,” said Alana.

“My appointments will be closer to home, the impact on travel for my family will be reduced and the benefits for other individuals will be amazing.”

Her students took to the stage with ease and by the end of the performance their dream of honouring their teacher also resulted in a gift for A Clear View in the amount of $514.

When Alana’s brother, Darren Minifie, heard the story he told Alana that he too wanted to celebrate her spirit, hope and courage and did so by making a $1,000 gift in support of his sister.

“This is yet another story of the courage of a breast cancer survivor. Alana is a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend to her students and one of the many reasons the digital stereotactic mammography unit will make a difference in the lives of many,” said Donna Grainger, East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) Executive Director.

EKFH has undertaken its biggest fundraiser to date, a two-year, and $1 million campaign. To make a donation visit the secured website www.aclearview.ca.

The Free Press