Strength to Bloom: Honoring My Father, Empowering Others 

My name is Lauren Garcia-Marcigliano, and on March 2, 2025, I was crowned Mrs. New Jersey International—a moment that represents far more than a title. It is a platform, a purpose, and a way to honor my father’s legacy. 

When my father was diagnosed with ALS, our lives changed forever. As his daughter and caregiver, I experienced firsthand the emotional, physical, and mental toll this disease takes—not just on the person diagnosed, but on their entire family. Amid the heartbreak, I found a deeper calling: to ensure that ALS patients and their caregivers never feel alone. 

This passion led me to create Strength to Bloom, a platform dedicated to supporting ALS patients, caregivers, and women navigating life’s toughest seasons. Strength to Bloom is about resilience, community, and the belief that even in our hardest moments, we have the power to bloom. My goal is to provide a space where those affected by ALS feel seen, supported, and empowered, reminding them that they are never alone in this journey. 

But my mission doesn’t stop there. My father always taught me to dream big, work hard, and create something meaningful—a lesson that shaped my path as an entrepreneur, pediatric nurse practitioner, wife, and mother of two. His encouragement inspired me to create Bloom Social Club, a space where women can turn their passions into businesses, build confidence, and create lives they love. In the same way, I advocate for ALS awareness and caregiving support, I also fight for women to chase their dreams—because no one should feel isolated in their journey, whether in illness or entrepreneurship. 

Being Mrs. New Jersey International 2025 allows me to amplify this mission, ensuring that caregivers, ALS patients, and women everywhere know that they have the strength to bloom, no matter the circumstances. Through advocacy, awareness, and community, I hope to honor my father’s legacy and empower others to create their own. – Lauren Garcia – Marcigliano