In late 2010, at the age of 38, Jessica Main’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer affecting nearly 300,000 men and women every year. The diagnosis came swiftly, and treatment followed even faster: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and a year of Herceptin infusions. Her life was suddenly organized into appointments, infusions, and long, sterile hours in waiting rooms and treatment facilities.

Before her first chemotherapy session, Jessica decided to pack a bag. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a soft canvas tote with a zipper and a bit of wear on the handles. Inside, she placed a journal, snacks, playing cards, mints to combat nausea, a small prayer card, and handwritten cards from her family and friends. She didn’t realize it then, but she had packed more than just the essentials, she had packed comfort, dignity, and hope.

The bag became her anchor.

After completing several rounds of treatment, Jessica identified other items that could help her with side effects.  The journey also started a mission in her heart. She couldn’t forget the fear she felt, especially at the beginning. If something as small as a bag of comfort had helped her, maybe it could help others too.

Four years later, a good friend, Kristina Azur Mete, founded Blessed Bag. She was a successful consultant and a part-time Thirty-One tote rep, juggling her growing family, conference calls, and tote bag orders in equal stride. Until cancer disrupted it all. First, it was her mother-in-law, then Jessica, then some of her friends. Within a year, Kristina watched cancer invade the lives of people she loved, stealing energy, peace of mind, and too often, joy. She saw the importance of having a tote bag to help give comfort and encouragement during a difficult time.  In 2018, Kristina gifted Jessica with Blessed Bag and a way to give back to others traveling the same cancer journey she traveled.

Today, the organization serves thousands of patients nationwide. Jessica leads the team, often reading letters from patients who say Blessed Bag made them feel loved and not alone in the fight.

What began as one woman’s way to prepare for chemotherapy became a ripple of kindness, a chain reaction of healing.

Because sometimes, healing doesn’t just come from medicine, it comes from knowing someone has packed a little love just for you. This is the core of Blessed Bag.