By Tara
The thing I love about perfume the most is not actually scent itself but the people it has brought into my life. Not just the amazing friends I’ve met but also those I only interact with online and the wider community as a whole. I feel very grateful to be part of this very special group of perfume people and I am touched by their kindness and generosity over and over again.
So when I heard that Tama Blough – perfume lover and Managing Editor for CaFleureBon – had been diagnosed with incurable cancer, I was very affected by it even though I’ve never had any direct contact with her. That’s because, quite simply, she is one of us.
Unsurprisingly the fragrance community swung into action at this sad news. A fellow long-time Now Smell This commenter, Nina Zolotow, set up a GiveForward campaign to raise the $20,000 needed to pay for Tama’s health care and living expenses. These funds will enable her to remain at home (with her cat Buster) for as long as possible.
Happily the response has been amazing so far but a final push is needed to reach the target.
The Editor of CaFleureBon, Michelyn Camen, also came up with a lovely idea to raise funds. She approached perfumer Tanja Bochnig to produce a limited edition April Aromatics fragrance in Tama’s honour.
The rose is Tama’s favourite flower so the perfume is fittingly called San Francisco Rose. It is an all-natural, high quality fragrance and by all accounts it is a beautiful, grown-up rose. All profits go towards the Fundraiser.
Ingredients: Rose Otto from Turkey, Rose absolute from Bulgaria, Orris Root from France, Hibiscus Seed from Ecuador, Tonka Bean from Brazil, Sandalwood from India, Patchouli from Sumatra and a touch of Oud from Saudi Arabia.
Price: $138.00 (111.00 Euros) for 30ml Eau de Parfum, available at April Aromatics.
So at this special time of year, please consider contributing to the GiveForward Fundraiser or purchasing San Francisco Rose for yourself or as a present for someone else.
If you’re a blogger please think about writing a post to raise awareness about Tama’s situation, not least because GiveForward will contribute $25 for every blog post (up to a maximum of $1,000).
A great big thank you in advance for any help you’re able to give.
Olfactoria's Travels 
Hi Tara, agreed, we do have a pretty special community… Fundraising with a individually created rose perfume, that’s so lovely, & kind of amazing, actually. Thanks for the article & heads up. Best wishes to all involved.
xx Tina
Hi Tina, we’re lucky to be a part of it aren’t we? The creation of the perfume is amazing, it’s true. Thanks for your good wishes. I’m sure they’ll get back to Tama and the fundraising team.
Hi Tara, I’m so happy to see that you have brought awareness to this amazing fundraiser for Tama! I purchased the San Francisco Rose, and it is lovely, but more than that, it represents
to me, love and generosity of spirit. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this act of “paying it forward”. Thank you! Happy Holidays to All!
Hi Darilyn, thanks for your lovely comment. I’m pleased to hear you’re so happy with San Francisco Rose. The meaning behind it makes it so special. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Hi Tara, I just checked the link and the San Francisco Rose is out of stock! I hope that is a good thing as far as fundraising for Tama is concerned as I saw it was a limited edition.
Hi Hamamelis, thanks very much for the info. Hopefully that does mean all the bottles have been sold. That would be great news.
‘One of us’ is a lovely title…
Thanks, V.
Is there a way to donate directly if we can’t buy the perfume? I’d love to help somehow.
Thanks Kandice, that’s lovely of you. Yes, you can donate directly to the Give Forward Campaign here –
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/61g6
Hi Tara (and everyone at Olfactoria’s Travels)! Thanks so much for this post. I know that Tama has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from the perfume community, and the financial donations we’ve received have made it possible for Tama, who lives alone, to stay in her apartment, which was her wish. And I, myself, am amazed and grateful to belong to such an extraordinary community of wonderful people, who are really stepping up when things matter. Love to all!
Yes, if you want to donate directly to our fund for Tama, you can go to the GiveForward site: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/61g6/tama-blough-s-cancer-care-fundraiser
Hi Nina
Thanks for all your work on Tama’s behalf. This absolutely is an amazing community to be a part of. I feel very lucky I found it.
Hi Tara,
What a sweet post – it’s amazing the bonds that can be shared even virtually.
Though I’m very new to the fragrance world, I have a blog post about Tama Blough and the SFR fundraiser, and I also mentioned the GiveForward site on my page. I didn’t realize that GiveForward would donate 25 dollars per related blog post – how can I ensure that 25 dollars is donated for my page?
Thanks!
sun
Hi Sun, that’s great. Just contact Nina (above) and let her know. She has a Contact Me button by her name on the Give Forward page.
It is amazing how such strong bonds can be forged online.