Briarcliff MS Actress Serves as Spokesperson for MPS VI

Name, Age: Alena Carly Galan, 14

School: 

Accomplishments: Starring in The Random Farms Kids Theater presentation of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at on February 4 and 5 at 7 p.m., as well as organizing a fundraising campaign that she hopes will “link” all her student peers.

Key to Awesomeness:  Alena Galan is one special eighth grader. She will be playing the role of The Long Rose Seller as well as a Townsperson in the musical retelling of Dickens’ famous novel Oliver Twist.

An actress who also takes voice lessons, Galan has sang in cabarets and has been on TV and radio. She said that her favorite thing about performing is knowing that she has made other people happy.

“The applause at the end is nice, too,” she said.

At the same time, the 14-year-old Briarcliff resident is leading a campaign to raise awareness about MPS VI—the rare genetic disorder that she was diagnosed with at age of three-and-a-half.

The syndrome is caused by the lack of specific enzymes, which causes waste to build up inside cells. Those with the inherited disorder may have short stature, stiff joints and breathing problems among other medical issues. It is treated with enzyme replacement therapy.

Galan, also a Girl Scout, has been a tireless spokesperson for MPS, doing appearances, videos, speaking to medical residents and has helped raise money for multiple organizations that benefit children.

On January 10, at Briarcliff Middle School, Alena began her fundraising effort by showing a video to the 6th, 7th and 8th graders, where she shared her journey of living with MPS VI and celebrated her life with the students.

Anyone who donates 25 cents or more is given a paper “link,” with the symbolic purpose of connecting, appreciating and respecting each other's differences, she said. Her goal is to have the links reach around the entire middle and high schools.

“Each link is a link of care, love, and, compassion we have for one another,” said Galan.

And finally, on Valentine's Day—February 14—Galan will host a fundraiser at the auditorium, with all money raised going to the The MPS Society and to the Children's Hospital at Montefiore.

“Living and surviving with MPS VI is a celebration,” said Galan. “I want my peers to know that although I am petite, I can do big things with myself and my life—I can be bigger in so many ways by keeping faith, courage, hope and by never giving up.”

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