100 Acts of Care: A Community Comes Together for Mothers Navigating Cancer

At Caring for Mama, community care is at the heart of everything we do.

A beautiful example of this came to life during a care box packing event in San Diego, where volunteers gathered at StillSpace Wellness Center to assemble 100 thoughtfully curated Brighter Days boxes for mothers navigating cancer while raising young children.

It was an afternoon filled with intention, connection, and a shared belief that no mother should have to move through the hardest seasons of her life without feeling supported.

The event was made possible through the generosity of Target and LUÜN Sweden, whose contributions funded the boxes, and through the meaningful partnership with Bright Spot Network. Together, we focused on one simple goal: making life feel a little gentler for moms carrying so much.

Care Boxes Filled With Meaningful Support

Each Brighter Days care box was intentionally curated to offer comfort, nourishment, and emotional support for moms navigating cancer while caring for young children. Every item was selected from women-owned and mission-driven brands whose work aligns with Caring for Mama’s belief that care should feel personal, grounding, and genuinely helpful.

Here is what went inside each box:

• ESTAS Beauty Daily Dose Scar Cream Serum - Founders Cristina Beltran and Alejandra Thompson built ESTAS (Every Scars Tells A Story) Beauty to make scar care more compassionate and visible. The serum-cream blend helps brighten, hydrate, and support the healing of new and old scars.
• GoodOnya Organic Hydration - Created by former Olympic athlete Kris Buchanan, GOODONYA Organic Hydration was born from her search for a cleaner, more natural way to stay hydrated. It is a mineral-rich electrolyte mix made with simple, organic ingredients and no dyes or chemicals.
• Lavish Aromatherapy Lip Balm - Created by Carly Hansen, the lip balm is packed with pure vitamin E, olive oil, virgin Shea butter and meadowfoam flower seed to nurture and heal even the most chapped lips.
• Big Heart Tea Co. "Cup of Sunshine" Tea - A warm, grounding turmeric and ginger blend designed to support both body and spirit. Big Heart Tea Co. was founded by Lisa Govro, and her tea was chosen for its ability to comfort, soothe, and make space for a quiet moment of rest.
• Ear Seeds + Mini Course - A set of ear seeds paired with a short, accessible course by Dr. Morgan Zapalac of EAST & WEST Functional Family Medicine & Acupuncture to support stress relief, balance, and relaxation. Included as a gentle tool for emotional grounding and holistic well-being.
• LuxCare Clothing $25 Gift Card - A contribution from a company founded by Paloma Soledad, a stage 4 cancer survivor who creates soft, adaptive clothing for post-treatment comfort. This gift card allows each mom to choose what feels best for her treatment and healing journey.
• Bright Spot Network Educational Materials - Printed and digital support materials created specifically for moms navigating cancer with young children by co-founders, moms and cancer survivors, Haley Pollack and Aimee Barnes. These resources were included to help mothers feel informed, supported, and less alone.
• Brave Like Mom Book by Monica Acker - A heartfelt children’s book written from the perspective of a child whose mother is facing illness. Added to help families open conversations, reduce fear, and bring a sense of connection and understanding into the home.
• Nourish Me Kitchen Book Set by Dr. Erika Siegel - A free digital download of a collection of nutrition-focused recipes and healing guidance from a naturopathic doctor and mama. Included to offer simple, supportive recipes during a challenging season when nourishment can feel overwhelming.
• LUUN Sweden 30% Discount - A Scandinavian design house creating handcrafted wellness accessories inspired by Nordic tradition. 

A Moment of Connection

Among the volunteers was Prairie Park, a breast cancer survivor and Bright Spot community member. Prairie shared parts of her story as a mom navigating cancer, offering an honest look at the fear, exhaustion, strength, and hope that shape her experience.

She also spoke about the support she received and how meaningful it felt to give back to other mothers now walking a similar path.

Her presence centered everyone in the room and reminded them why this work matters. Care can be a lifeline when someone is carrying more than most people will ever understand.

The Caring Fund in Action

This gathering became the first collaborative project run through the Caring Fund, Caring for Mama’s charitable arm. The Caring Fund allows organizations, brands, and community members to make tax-deductible contributions that support care-box projects for mothers in need.

It set a new foundation for what is possible through collaborative care and showed how much meaning can be created when aligned partners come together with love and intention.

How You Can Help Spread More Care

There are a few simple and meaningful ways to keep this work moving forward:

1. Share this story

Send this post to someone who could use hope, encouragement, or a nudge to support moms who are quietly carrying so much.

2. Shop with heart

Every Caring for Mama purchase now gives back. Whether you’re gifting a mama friend, supporting a caregiver, or treating someone who needs a moment of peace, your purchase helps send real care to moms navigating hardship. Shop With Heart

3. Support the Caring Fund directly

If you feel called to help grow this impact, contributions of any size are warmly welcomed year-round. Give to the Caring Fund

Why This Matters

Watching volunteers fold tissue paper, place items with care, and write notes of encouragement was a powerful reminder of how simple and powerful community care can be. 

These 100 Brighter Days boxes represent 100 moments of comfort, connection, and acknowledgment for mothers who often feel unseen in their hardest moments.

And that is the heart of Caring for Mama.