Bloom Club: Cultivating Joy and Connection for Young Women Navigating Cancer

When Sara and Shanna were both diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic, they were thrust into one of life’s most difficult challenges at a young age—and in isolation. With hospitals enforcing visitor restrictions and social circles shrinking under lockdowns, their journeys through cancer treatment were marked not only by physical hardship, but also by an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

But from that hardship, something beautiful began to bloom.

Sara, a former primary school teacher, and Shanna, a registered nurse, met on Instagram. Their shared diagnosis—invasive ductal carcinoma—and mutual feelings of isolation sparked a powerful bond. They began meeting monthly, and during one of their casual catch-ups at a local pub, the idea for Bloom Club was born.

They wondered: If we’re longing for connection, how many others are too?

That question became the seed of Bloom Club—a grassroots charity dedicated to offering free, joy-focused adventures and activities for young self-identifying women navigating cancer.

What began as a single social at a Hamilton coffee shop has grown into a national movement, with initiatives like Sunflower Sundays taking root in communities across the country.

Bloom Club isn’t about clinical support or medical advice. It’s about the human side of cancer—connection, friendship, laughter, and healing through shared experience. The club organizes curated events, socials, and get-togethers where young women facing or recovering from cancer can feel safe, seen, and supported.

“Cancer is an isolating experience with lasting mental and emotional impacts,” says Sara. “Bloom aims to bridge that isolation through peer support, encouragement, and shared adventure.”

For Sara, the name “Bloom Club” holds deep personal meaning. During chemotherapy, she turned to poetry as a coping mechanism and wrote a poem called Bloom—a reflection of her resilience and hope. That poem inspired the name of the organization and later became part of a book compiling the poems she penned during treatment.

Sara and Shanna are clear: Bloom Club is a passion project, not a paycheck. Neither of them draws a salary, and starting a charity had never been part of their life plans. But their lived experiences created a calling they couldn’t ignore.

“People are often surprised to find out we’re volunteers,” says Shanna. “But Bloom gives back to us in other ways. It fills our hearts.”

That said, running a grassroots charity hasn’t come without challenges. From registering the organization legally to managing funding, lawyers, and accountants, the logistics have at times felt overwhelming. “We wish the process was easier for startups,” they say. “Every hour spent on paperwork is an hour we wish we were spending directly with our community.”

Despite the hurdles, Bloom Club continues to flourish. Early fundraising was a mystery—until the pair partnered with another cancer warrior, Sarah, to launch Bloom Club merchandise, with 100% of profits going toward community activities. This effort has allowed them to provide everything from coffee socials to wellness retreats—completely free of charge.

And what started with just Sara and Shanna has now expanded into a small but mighty team of four, each person contributing to the heart-driven mission of the club.

Bloom Club’s impact is clear: young women across Canada are finding joy, connection, and healing in a community that was once missing from their cancer journeys.

“As young women with cancer, we needed something that didn’t exist,” says Sara. “So we created it.”

With every meetup, every laugh, and every new friendship, Bloom Club proves that even in the darkest seasons, something beautiful can grow.