Support Alana, Ian & Auri following Alana’s brain surgery

Two years ago, on November 9th, 2022, my dear friend Alana Yorke—a talented musician, pianist, and vocalist—suffered a life-changing stroke at just 41. The stroke left Alana's left side, including her dominant hand and arm, impaired, putting her livelihood at risk. During her challenging recovery, Alana learned to regain control of her body through physiotherapy and occupational therapy, all while caring for her two-year-old son and pressing pause on her second album, Destroyer, which she and her husband Ian Bent had spent years creating.

Alana’s Incredible Progress

After a year of hard work and determination, Alana was finally able to release Destroyer, reconnecting with her music, fans, and community. As part of her healing process, she even took up Pilates and dance to help express her new music visually, celebrating her recovery. She began playing live shows and booking a tour to share Destroyer with her audience.

Another Unexpected Setback

In May 2024, after her first release show, Alana became ill again and was forced to cancel her performances. Months of testing revealed the cause: a rare condition known as a cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a cluster of malformed blood vessels in her brain. Her medical team hoped it would remain inactive, but by September, it had grown and started bleeding into itself, leading to debilitating symptoms and the risk of another stroke.

The Road Ahead: Brain Surgery

After thorough consultation, Alana and her doctors have decided that the best path forward is open brain surgery, scheduled for November 18th. This major surgery aims to remove the CCM, providing a cure. The recovery process will be long, with months of rehabilitation ahead, and the extent of her recovery won’t be known until she’s out of surgery.

How You Can Help

The past two years have put immense emotional, mental, and financial strain on Alana, Ian, and their now four-year-old son, Auri. As self-employed musicians, Alana and Ian lack the stability and safety nets that traditional careers offer. They’ve dedicated themselves to creating music to enrich others’ lives, facing great personal cost and risk along the way.

I’ve created this GoFundMe page in the hope that family, friends, and anyone who has been touched by Alana and Ian’s music can help ease the financial strain during this critical time.

Your support will help them cover medical expenses, sustain their family, and focus on Alana’s recovery with the ultimate goal of returning to music and live performance. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Thank you for standing by Alana, Ian, and Auri during this journey.