OUR STORY

It all started when Co-Founder Erika Rich, was diagnosed with HER2+ Stage IV Breast Cancer in March 2019 at the age of 25. After multiple rounds of IV chemo treatment, targeted & complete brain radiation, and continued rounds of gene-targeted therapy, she turned her sights outward. Her sister and Co-Founder, Jessica Sinclair, had the idea for the foundation after Erika’s initial diagnosis. For Jessicas’ Capstone project for her masters at Chatham University, she created The Bloom Foundation. A nonprofit that would help educate others about breast cancer and emphasize that the disease doesn’t discriminate based on age, family history, or level of health. Erika also wanted to shed light on how a Stage 4 diagnosis is not a death sentence but a new beginning to start living. Also, prior to Erika’s diagnosis, she was a Realtor, Yoga Instructor, and Plant-Based Personal Chef. Her dedication to wellness before her diagnosis has played a key role in her vitality throughout her journey. She advocates for women to implement integrative care tools into their toolbox, as she calls it, to enhance their quality of life. Thanks to others’ generosity and prayers Erika has been able to focus on healing and make cancer fun, something she hopes to help other breast cancer patients start saying. 

The foundation came to life after Erika’s brain radiation in December. Thanks to a generous Christmas gift and the extra energy from her steroid post-brain radiation, she was able to complete all the necessary paperwork for a non-profit. Next, Erika appointed a group of talented individuals to be her board of directors, her perfectly skilled girlfriends from Wittenberg University and Delta Gamma, and Greg, also a Witt Grad to handle the finances and provide laughs. Erika managed to do this all between Dec 17, 2019, and Jan 1, 2020. To kickstart the year with the foundation’s first initial Love Over Fear Fundraiser where Bloom Foundation Gives (BFG) was born. They were able to raise enough money to provide their first Yoga Teacher Training Scholarship, Cancer Care Package, and afford additional startup costs. The foundation has since launched a merchandise line, held yoga fundraisers, donated cancer care bags with Erika’s must-have chemo items, raised money for shopping sprees, and much more. 

Erika also hopes to use Bloom to shine a light on the mental health and wellness side of a cancer diagnosis, especially for metastatic patients. In 2019 1.8 million people were diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer making up for 15%. Of that 1.8 million 15-25% receive a diagnosis of depression, that's 450,000 people. Erika found herself amongst that number resulting in paused treatment, talking with a therapist for the first time, and opening up to her family and friends about her struggles with depression and survivors’ guilt. 

Also, active by nature, Erika hopes to shed light on the benefits of yoga and meditation. Something as simple as a 15-minute walk, yoga session, or meditation a day and proper nutrition can make a substantial positive impact on overall mental health, combat side effects, and quality of life. Bloom Foundation Gives goal is to help others with these adversities. As a foundation, we value overall wellness, and we believe that means healing on the inside and out. 

Erika and Bloom Foundation Gives Board of Directors are extremely excited about what's in store.