Four days before the start of the 2010-11 school year I was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. I was in shock and facing an uncertain future. One of many dilemmas I faced was if I could make a commitment to The 2011 Blue Heron Student Exhibition. This is the student art show I have produced every other year since 2001 in cooperation with the Blue Heron Gallery.

By the end of September I had settled into my battle with cancer and had learned, among many other things about my disease, that making future plans was very important to my recovery.  I made the commitment to my students and the Blue Heron.  The show would go on no matter what! I worked throughout my chemotherapy, but had to take an extended break after my major surgery, so when January 2011 rolled around and I had only collected 20 pieces of student art for the show, I knew I had to step it up although I was still in chemotherapy and weighing in at under 100 pounds.

Partners in Education (PIE) stepped up along with me and contributed a generous grant for the framing materials, which greatly reduced my stress over financing the show. Added stress was certainly something I did not need during my fight for survival. The art show happened and it was very successful and beautiful!

I am cancer-free now and I sincerely thank PIE for being a part of my cure

 

— Amy Dubin, Vashon Island High School art teacher

 

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