Alula's significance transcends that of a typical digital platform; it serves as a lifeline for individuals navigating the intricate landscape of cancer treatment and recovery. Stemming from founder Liya Shuster-Bier's personal battle with cancer, Alula emerges as a beacon of hope and empathy within a world often clouded by uncertainty and solitude. Alula embodies radical honesty, offering a centralized repository of digital tools and resources meticulously curated to alleviate the profound loneliness and hurdles encountered by cancer fighters. With an acute awareness of the unique challenges and requirements inherent to the cancer journey, Alula cultivates a nurturing community where individuals can seek solace, guidance, and tangible support.

Understanding that the journey through cancer is not merely a physical battle but also a deeply emotional and psychological one, Alula goes beyond the conventional bounds of a digital platform. It fosters an environment of understanding and compassion, where individuals can freely express their fears, frustrations, and triumphs, knowing that they are embraced by a community that truly comprehends their struggles.

Alula's commitment to providing practical assistance is matched only by its dedication to fostering genuine human connections. Through shared experiences and mutual support, Alula empowers cancer fighters to navigate their journey with resilience, courage, and dignity. In essence, Alula is more than just a platform; it is a lifeline, extending a compassionate hand to guide individuals through the darkest of times and towards a brighter, hopeful future.

The Inception of Alula

In the journey of life, there are moments that sharply divide our existence—days that mark a before and an after. For Liya Shuster-Bier, that day was January 11, 2018, when she was confronted with a daunting diagnosis: stage 2 primary mediastinal B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accompanied by an 8 by 10 cm tumor in her chest.

Facing the harsh reality of treatment, Liya endured a grueling regimen of 800 hours of chemotherapy, 20 radiation sessions, and an autologous stem cell transplant, all within the confines of 100-day quarantine. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations, Liya recognized the profound lack of centralized resources to navigate the labyrinth of cancer treatment and recovery.

From this realization was born Alula—a beacon of hope and honesty in the world of cancer support. Drawing from her own experiences and challenges, Liya created a digital platform that serves as a sanctuary for cancer fighters, offering a curated collection of tools and resources to ease the journey.

But Alula is more than just a business venture for Liya—it's a celebration of life, resilience, and community. Even in remission, she continues to grapple with the aftermath of treatment, navigating issues like medically induced menopause and radiation fibrosis. Through Alula, Liya extends a hand of solidarity to others walking a similar path, welcoming them to a club they never asked to join but where they can find solace, support, and shared understanding.

Empowering Cancer Fighters: Alula's Patient-Centric Approach

Founder's Journey: Alula's inception stems from the personal experiences of its founder, who navigated cancer as a patient, caregiver, and survivor. Recognizing the overwhelming burden placed on patients and caregivers amidst the challenges of cancer treatment, the founder sought to bridge the gap in guidance and support within the healthcare system.

Addressing Loneliness in Cancer Care: Cancer often brings with it a profound sense of isolation, exacerbated by the logistical, emotional, and financial burdens that patients and caregivers shoulder. Alula aims to alleviate this loneliness by providing a patient-curated marketplace offering tried and tested products designed to ease the side effects and after-effects of cancer treatment.

Redefining Everyday Recovery: Beyond the hospital walls, the management of treatment side effects persists, presenting additional challenges for patients and caregivers. Alula goes beyond traditional care by investing in patients' well-being outside the hospital setting, redefining what recovery and survivorship mean for cancer patients.

Navigating Life's Unrecognizable Terrain: A cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down, impacting every aspect from physical and emotional well-being to finances and daily routines. Managing treatment side effects outside the hospital setting adds another layer of complexity, making it even more challenging for patients to seek help and for loved ones to provide support.

Easing the Burden with Alula: Alula offers a lifeline for cancer fighters, making it easier to find, offer, and organize support. The Care Calendar feature alleviates the stress of daily tasks by allowing volunteers to sign up for tasks like providing transportation to chemotherapy appointments or arranging meals. Additionally, the Recovery Registry simplifies the process of identifying useful products during and after treatment.

Support for All Cancer Fighters: Alula's commitment extends to individuals facing all types of cancer. By organizing its marketplace and registry based on treatment type and side effects rather than cancer type, Alula ensures that its resources are accessible and relevant to a diverse range of cancer fighters.

In essence, Alula embodies a patient-centric approach, empowering cancer fighters to navigate their journey with confidence, support, and dignity. With Alula by their side, patients and caregivers can find solace in knowing that they are not alone in their battle against cancer.

Liya Shuster-Bier | Founder and CEO

“Alula is more than just a marketplace; it's a lifeline for cancer fighters, offering support, guidance, and relief in the midst of life's most challenging moments.”