Love Bombs - aka Grants, Cash Gifts, Scholarships - For Brave Cancer Slayers

Love Bombs In Action

Whatever you want to call the financial contribution, Rural Gone Urban Foundation Inc. awards judgment-free grants to women in the trenches with cancer who are focused on establishing a living legacy for their loved ones.

Because sometimes you just need someone in your corner.

We hope love bomb recipients use financial support to be selfish. We envision recipients making memories, create a legacies, and having a few moments where cancer isn’t driving the ship.

Applicaton Tips

  • Be detailed.

    Do not assume we know anything. The committee has never met you, heard of you, or seen you. The ball is in your court to share why you’re the right human for this grant. The real reel: every person who is applying has heard, "I'm sorry, it's cancer." Tell us who you are outside of your diagnosis and how you plan to use this grant.

  • Be real.

    The committee is looking for more than the lowlight reel.

    We’re interested in your passions, your joys, how you’re going to use this grant to lessen your burdens.

    Give us specifics.

  • Be honest.

    All Love Bomb committee members have signed non-disclosure agreements, which means we cannot legally share any information you provide within your application without your permission, unless that information can cause harm to yourself or others.

  • Ask for help.

    Work with a friend, family member, or caregiver to complete your application if needed.

    It’s always okay to ask for help.

  • Eligibility

    Any U.S. woman currently in the trenches with a cancer diagnosis.

  • TIMELINE

    • Rolling applications are reviewed quarterly by the committee.

    • Funds are awarded as funding is available.

Why does this grant exist?

Our founder, Brooke Clay Taylor, first encountered cancer when her dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. After his graduation to heaven, her life was filled with incredible stories, and limited photos (it was the 90s) about her perfect dad.

When she was diagnosed stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma triple negative breast cancer in 2019, six hours before becoming a first-time mom, Brooke Taylor gave that jack wagon cancer hell.

Unfortunately, it returned two years later — in her neck, clavicle, ribs, spine, lungs, and pelvis — on the anniversary of her dad’s graduation to heaven thanks upgrading her to a stage 4 thriver.

Brooke knew, based lived experience, that if she left this earth early only the highlight reel would be shared with her daughter.

While juggling active cancer treatment, launching the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, and running her consulting business, Brooke leans into creating memories and leaving a paper trail in her wake.

Off to Disney! A trip to the infamous jewelry store in NYC for milestone gifts — high school graduation, college graduation, wedding, and first baby! Cards for every holiday! Notes about family history!

And, with that, the idea of love bombs was born — because we can all use a little help from our friends.

And with it we’re all showing Brooke’s daughter what it’s like to love without an asterisk.

Today, Brooke continues active treatment (with a history of clear scans!) while balancing leaving a legacy for her now 5 year old daughter.

Resources Created By Cancer Thrivers

Featured
Walking into the Hospital Prepared
Walking into the Hospital Prepared

This post is written by Kate Williams, who is an estate planning attorney. This is not to be construed as legal advice, but just some good practical guidance to anyone who is having a procedure of any kind done in a medical setting.

Read More →
Pinktober 101: A Guide to Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Pinktober 101: A Guide to Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Corporate America knows the value of a good public relations campaign. They love to appear charitable. What could be easier than putting a pink ribbon on a product? The appearance of saving women. After all, everyone knows someone who has had breast cancer. They claim a percentage of profits go to a breast cancer charity.

Read More →
Thoughts on Cold Cap Therapy From Someone Who did it
Thoughts on Cold Cap Therapy From Someone Who did it

A lot of folks say that fretting about your hair at a time when you are facing a potential death sentence is vain. A little bit, yes. But that sentiment is overly dismissive. It’s more about control.

With cancer, you lose control of so many aspects of your life. You lose your freedom, your time, your hopes and dreams are all hanging in the balance and suddenly you are not even sure if you can see your kids go to kindergarten or graduate high school.

It’s about control. It’s about privacy. It’s about options. It’s about dignity.

Read More →
First-Hand Account of Cold Capping During Cancer Treatment
First-Hand Account of Cold Capping During Cancer Treatment

Kate Williams was 37 years old and her kids were ages eight, five, and nine weeks old when she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2019 while on a family vacation in Disney World during her postpartum season following the birth of her third child, Penny Lane. Her active treatment and surgery continued into the beginning of a global pandemic, which greatly altered her cold-capping experience.

Read More →

Committee Transparency

The Love Bombs committee is comprised of women who received their very own invitation to the cancer club and walk unique paths of survivorship and active treatment.

Dr. Cindy Blackwell (Cancer class ‘15)
Brooke Taylor (Cancer class ‘19)
Kate Williams (Cancer class ‘19)
Rifka Coleman (Cancer class ‘20)
Lindsay Gentry (Cancer class ‘21)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Right here.

  • We do not have access to the password you established when creating your account.

    If you’re unable to login select reset password on the login page.

  • Yes. Between the 1-20 of each month all applications can be edited even after submission.

    Submitted applications cannot be edited from the 21- last day of the month as that’s when the committee is reviewing.

  • The Rural Gone Urban Foundation invested in a platform to respect applicants’ private information, reduce unconscious bias, and to streamline the application process for applicants.

  • Grants will be awarded directly to applicants via certified mail or Zelle.

  • Recipients are to use their best judgment on how the grants can be implemented.

    For example: making memories, printing photos, purchasing milestone gifts for family.

  • Yes. Whether you receive a grant or not, you will hear from the committee.

  • The Rural Gone Urban Foundation is funded by individual and corporate donations.

  • Yes.

    You will need verification of their diagnosis, which can be a screenshot of their MyChart or similar.

    You will also need their consent for photography and likeness, which you can receive by using this document and uploading to the application.

Still have questions?

Please share, in detail, what questions or clarifications you have or need. This form will be directed to committee chair, Kate Williams.