In case you missed our announcement on socials, our team has grown! We’re excited to introduce our newest team member Sara Machnik… and she’s here to tell her story with this month’s blog post.
Written by Sara Machnik | Chief Relationship Officer at WholeHearted
I was diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic. The diagnosis, and treatment completely flipped my world on it’s head. I was isolated for a year and in my solitude, I found connection online. The first person I met in real life completely changed my view on cancer. Meeting with her in real life left me feeling validated and secure in my own experiences and thoughts. This was a pivotal moment for me in my cancer experience, and I wondered if others were desperately seeking the same sense of community.
I longed to create a community for others and with the help of my new friend, turned Co- Founder, we created Bloom Club. Bloom Club is a joy-focused club for self-identifying young women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Going through cancer treatment during the pandemic was nothing short of depressing. We wanted nothing more than to spread joy to other women going through cancer. We started small, but noticed the number of participants quickly rose. It seemed that other women were eager to find their community too. We planned adventures and went horseback riding, snow tubing, water tubing, and took part in workshops like painting and flower arranging.
Little was I to know that a new beginning waited for me, sitting in my inbox of the Bloom Club account. Where I imagine many modern beginnings boast the start of their romances, relationships and careers. Cat, the owner of Wholehearted sent me a message asking where she could drop of 50 packed bags for young women who were Bloom Club members. To be honest, I didn’t know what to think. It’s not every day that a stranger starts a conversation with “I have a massive donation for you.” I wondered if she was real. We coordinated a drop off and sure enough, 50 beautifully packed pink bags made their way to our next Bloom Club event. I didn’t know who Cat was, but I wanted to know more about her.
I followed her on social media and began reading through the WholeHearted website. I had never heard of a company or business model that was creating large local community givebacks. A company that had so seamlessly brought corporations and charities together to make an impact. A company that engages employees as team building and then loads up cars and drops off massive donations to local charities in need. How have I never heard of this? We began chatting and it seemed like our paths were meant to cross. The pandemic left both of us with massive career changes and the urge to make a difference, to become the difference. Our paths began to overlap and intertwine, and once we made it official that I was the newest employee of Wholehearted, our paths were officially tied together and topped elegantly with a black and white bow, that was my welcome give I received from WholeHearted. I am elated to sit alongside these wonderful women who have accomplished so much with WholeHearted’s mission in a short time span.
It is my honour and pleasure to work alongside both Cat & Heather at WholeHearted, who both work tirelessly because they believe in the cause and importance of giving back. A small yet mighty team, eager to make a difference in your business, your team, and your community. Our work is truly more than a business model, we are creating our personal legacies alongside companies who are willing to give back.
Together, we can do more good.
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